MEN'S BRACELET TREND TIPS

Popular women’s jewelry brand Kendra Scott has launched Scott Bros., a collection of men’s bracelets. Photo kendrascott.com

In general, I’m not a fan of jewelry for men. Exceptions are a great watch either worn solo or, for the married fellas, with a simply classic wedding ring.

But modern men of all ages are beginning to layer on more pieces, especially bracelets.

Food Network star Geoffrey Zakarian - wearing two bracelets on his right wrist and a classic watch on his left wrist - is an example of how men of all ages can elegantly adapt the men’s bracelet trend. Photo: foodnetwork.com.

One of the most successful at this trend is Food Network star Geoffrey Zakarian who’s applauded for his sartorial style as much as his expertise as a chef. He’s often photographed wearing multiple bracelets on his right wrist, or on his left wrist paired with one of his stunning timepieces. (In interviews he has mentioned his appreciation of Lange & Söhne watches, which are assembled by hand in Germany and can start at $32,000.)

He immediately came to my mind when I saw that popular women’s jewelry brand Kendra Scott has just launched Scott Bros., a collection of bracelets for men.

The collection offers several styles including the Beck Chain Bracelet in Oxidized Sterling Silver ($198); the Evans 18K Yellow God Vermeil Corded Bracelet in Black Leather ($118) and bracelets made of gemstone beads - agate, jasper, lapis, and tiger’s eye ($78).

For advice on how to wear bracelets with style, I turned to the website and YouTube channel of one of my favorite men’s fashion experts, Brock McGoff of The Modest Man. Here are some of the tips he offers in his videos and articles:

• It’s fine to wear multiple bracelets, but he recommends limiting it to three.

• Chain and leather bracelets can be more formal, although he says to proceed with caution when wearing them to work or in a situation that requires a suit and tie.

• Beaded bracelets look best with casual outfits.

• If you wear a bracelet with a watch, the bracelet should be worn lower than the watch because it’s more loose fitting. Also, be mindful of the bracelet’s material. A leather bracelet won’t scratch a watch, but a beaded or chain bracelet may.

• Beaded bracelets look best in neutral colors (he’s not a fan of multi-colored beads) and the beads should be small, not oversized.

FASHION: ECO POLO

An iconic men’s fashion staple is going green.

Just in time for Earth Day on April 22, Ralph Lauren launched the sale of its new eco-friendly Earth Polo made from 100 percent recycled material. Each shirt uses an average of 12 recycled plastic bottles which are spun into a microfiber yarn.

The shirts retail for $89.95 and come in four colors: Baby Blue, Stewart Green, White and Newport Blue in men’s sizes XS-XXL. Those hues were chosen because they’re the same four colors you see when you look at Earth from a distance.

In keeping with the eco-friendly theme, each color is achieved via a unique carbon dyeing process that uses no water in the application of the dye.

A statistic on the Ralph Lauren website states that 1 million plastic bottles are purchased worldwide every minute causing plastic bottles to litter oceans, beaches and landfills around the globe.

The Earth Polo is also available in women’s sizes XS-XL.

To show the company’s commitment to improving the environment, even the packaging is eco-friendly.

FASHION: ADVICE FROM STYLE INFLUENCER SCOTT NEWKIRK

Fashion influencer Scott Newkirk, the buyer and creative director for Tabor, in the courtyard of the unique menswear store.

Tabor is arguably Charlotte’s most unique designer menswear’s store. No surprise since it’s the well-dressed brother to sister stores Capitol and Poole Shop.

Scott Newkirk, Tabor’s buyer and creative director, says the store’s core clientele are young, old and everything in between. But they do have some traits in common.

“The Tabor customer has a sense of humor, is willing to experiment a little and be open to what’s happening in the world of menswear,” he said. 

Scott's buying trips to Paris and New York, where he spent decades as an influencer on the fashion scene, have given him an expert eye for all things elegant and modern. 

Now that he’s in his 50s, here are some of his stylish tips for men 50 and up:

Think about streamlining and dressing more simply. “Almost everything in my wardrobe is navy so I don’t have to think about what goes together.”

The "great" staples he recommends for every man’s wardrobe are: “A great fitting pair of jeans, a great pair of shoes, a great jacket and a great pair of sneakers. And buy a great new white shirt every season.”

Even on your most casual days, maintain a certain level of elegance. “Elegance is attractive to everyone. The older you get, it’s nice to have that in your mind when you’re getting dressed and socializing.”

His final words of wisdom: “Shoes are important. Eat well. And get a good haircut."

PEOPLE: DR. STEPHAN FINICAL

Dr. Stephan Finical is one of the country's top plastic surgeons.

Dr. Stephan Finical was a tenured surgeon at the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota when Charlotte Plastic Surgery offered him a position. 

"Charlotte Plastic Surgery is a nationally known group so I knew of them," Dr. Finical says. "I'm from Mansfield, Ohio, and my wife and I had been thinking of moving back to the East Coast, so I flew to Charlotte to meet with them. When I got back to Minnesota, my wife already had a Realtor over to appraise our house!" 

Dr. Finical's reputation as an acclaimed surgeon and educator continues to flourish. He's especially known as a nose surgery expert: He's a member of the elite Rhinoplasty Society which is open to only the top 100 rhinoplasty surgeons in America. When he's not traveling across the country to train other surgeons and speak about the newest products and procedures, he enjoys outdoor sports and spending time with his wife and two children.

The O Report was honored to have him educate us about everything from the importance of dressing well to the best thing you can do for your skin and the nonprofit that's most meaningful to him. 

What are your wardrobe staples?

I always wear a suit and tie, and usually a pocket square. My father wore a suit to work every day and so do I. Once, early in my career, I considered dressing casually on an operating day. I decided against it, and that day I was asked to consult with a VIP patient. I was so glad I wore a suit. Honestly, I just hate consulting with patients when I'm wearing scrubs. It’s like wearing your pajamas. It’s too casual. It bothers me.

Who is your male style role model? 

Cary Grant. He always stressed owning less quantity and higher quality clothing with an emphasis on tailoring. The fit is so important. One of my favorite part-time jobs in college was working in a men’s clothing store that had its own tailor shop. No surprise - knowing my profession - that I was very interested in the tailor shop and what they did!

Any favorite grooming products or grooming tips? 

Sunscreen. Always wear sunscreen, especially if you are over 40, and TNS Essential Serum from SkinMedica. TNS contains human-derived growth factors that help support skin health. It is based on real and honest science and truly makes your skin look better.

How do you stay in shape? 

I run, usually four or five times a week. I have a five-mile loop that I run on the greenway. Once a quarter I run the equivalent of a half marathon. It’s good for me both mentally and physically. 

What are your favorite charitable causes? 

My wife and I both donate and volunteer at The John Crosland School. It’s a school for kids with learning differences. There are so few good resources in Charlotte's public schools for children who really need that type of specialized learning. I would encourage anyone to look into donating their time or money to such a worthy cause as the education of children. Kids with learning differences have the most to gain. You can take a frustrated child who has little opportunity in traditional education and make them a successful contributor to society. These kids have huge upside potential. It’s a place where you can really make an impact.

What’s the biggest risk you’ve ever taken? 

Leaving a tenured position at the Mayo Clinic to move to Charlotte. 

What do you like to do in your downtime? 

Read. I read a lot for work, but I enjoy reading for pleasure as well. I try to read anything that an educated person “should have read,” so I’ve played catch up on a lot of classics. I also like to watch college football. Having played in school (Division III), I love the fact that amateur athletes who may have had finals or midterms and are trying to grow up like all college students are also practicing and performing on a very high level at their sport. 

Dr. Finical has always been athletic, including playing Division III football.

Who are your favorite writers and/or filmmakers? 

Kurt Vonnegut. He's such an interesting writer. But my favorite book is probably The Good Earth by Pearl S. Buck. On the surface it should be uninteresting. It's about Chinese farmers at the turn of the century. But it gives insights into the way of life, feelings, thoughts, and norms of a different culture. I try to read classics that I missed because I was studying science in school. Both of my parents love to read. My dad reads a book a week. I’ve enjoyed all the Stanley Kubrick films. They are usually surprising, deep, and often disturbing. My dad took me to see 2001: A Space Odyssey when I was six. I don't understand it any better now. I’m still trying to figure it out. In front of a computer, I often feel like the apes with the jawbone in the opening scene! I learned to enjoy movies from my father. He was a Depression-era kid and went to the movies every Saturday in the 1930s. He would take butter and egg money and go with his friends, and they would watch Westerns all day.

What do you love about this stage of your life?  

I enjoy watching my children blossom as young adults.

What are your favorite restaurants? 

Stagioni is walking distance from my house. My wife and I will walk over on the Friday nights that I get home late and we are never disappointed. Russ, Leeann and Nicole always have great recommendations for us to try.

Where are your favorite places to vacation? 

Anywhere! 

What do you consider to be your greatest achievement? 

Two great kids!

What is the best business advice you’ve ever received? 

MACS...Massive Amounts of Common Sense.

What did you learn from your father or grandfather that still influences you today? 

My father taught me always to do your best and present yourself well. He is very clever. He's 90 and works the crossword puzzle every day, has a terrific sense of humor and is always well-dressed. My maternal grandfather was mechanically talented. He once carved a working pair of pliers for me out of a single piece of wood. He taught me that if you are resourceful, you can fix anything.

What’s your favorite healthy snack? 

Power bars. I keep a stash in my desk drawer at work. My favorite is Kashi Honey Almond Flax. It has a really nice texture to it and doesn't have too many calories. I gnaw on those and drink low calorie Gatorade so I don't get dehydrated on operating days when I don't get a chance to go out for lunch.

What’s your favorite indulgent snack?

Ice cream! I could eat it nonstop. 

FASHION: MICHELE MELVILLE SHARES HOW TO STAY MODERN

Michele Melville is a stylist with custom and made-to-measure brand J.Hilburn.

Texas-based menswear company J.Hilburn prides itself on bringing custom, luxury clothing  to its customers via a network of stylists across the country. It's a business model that eliminates unnecessary markups.

J.Hilburn stylist Michele Melville offers free wardrobe styling consultations, guarantees fit and makes shopping for any of your next social occasions easy and fun.

Charlotte area J.Hilburn stylist Michele Melville sat down with The O Report and shared her advice and trendy tips for men 50 and up. You can shop her site at  MicheleMelville.JHilburn.com. Contact her by email at Michele.Melville@JHilburn.com or 704-299-1026. 

The J.Hilburn pieces in your closet are guaranteed to fit. 

Wear clothes that fit:  "So often I see men wearing clothes that simply don't fit. If it's too big, too small, too boxy - it doesn't work. Ill-fitting clothing will make you look heavier, older, less put- together and less confident."

Khaki/off white luxury blend trouser ($125).

Eliminate pleats: "There was a time and a place for pleats. However, most body types can handle a flat front pant, trouser and short. It will immediately update your look. And by eliminating extra fabric and bulging around the middle, it creates a sharper, more current and tailored appearance. If you must have a pleat, consider updating to a single pleat."

Don't short yourself: "One of my mid-50ish shorter clients was wearing pleated, knee length khaki shorts. We updated them with a made-to-measure, flat front chino short. It immediately modernized and slimmed his appearance by 20 pounds and 10 years!"

Italian-made multi-checked jacket in Storm Blue. $650. 

Classic jacket: "A great tailored sport coat provides so much versatility to any man's wardrobe. It's not too formal, not too casual and when done right, it will become your favorite go-to in your closet. The problem for men over 50 is that many in this age group wear their sport coats and suit jackets extremely full, creating for many a boxy, outdated, uninspiring look. Instead, examine fit, zoom in on your fit preferences and work with a stylist that can help you personalize and tailor your selections to work for your unique body, individual style and your lifestyle. Go bold and consider a plaid. Paired with a crisp shirt, a great trouser, casual pant or even denim, this is a look that can take you from the office to a social evening and essentially anything in between." 

Break it down: "Consider adding a deconstructed jacket style to your wardrobe. It combines the tailoring of a sport coat with the comfort of a sweater."

Luxury polos: "I'm in love with our made-to-measure polo shirts. They're made from refined Italian and performance knits.  Customization details include two collar options, four placket options, three sleeve options and  a variety of other features.  Some of my favorite features for 2018 include contrasting fabric and color choices as well as a long sleeve version with a shirt cuff."

Taupe textured solid reversible vest ($400). 

Best vest: "Another on-going trend is the reversible vest. Not only are they highly functional, they are good looking and provide another level of warmth and casual style."

Look good on and off the course in J.Hilburn's innovative new golf line. 

Fore: "J.Hilburn is revolutionizing the golf apparel industry with the launch of its full golf line. The line's innovative fabrics that are made to your measurements will take you straight from the golf course to the boardroom."

Jean rules: "Keeping it simple is best.  A dark hued, tailored (not skinny) leg will serve you well.  Having the right pair in your wardrobe will provide you with more versatility than you can imagine.  The key is finding the right fit for your body type to ensure comfort. They can give you a super casual, cool look - yet can be totally dressed up, too. I enjoy taking one pair of jeans and showing my clients 20 new looks by swapping out different shoes, belts, shirts, sweaters, sport coats, and outerwear. "

Ivory Revenge tuxedo jacket (starting at $725); Super Black tuxedo trouser ($250); White Poplin shirt ($185); Black Satin self-tied bow tie ($55) and white cotton/linen pocket square ($49). 

Own it:  "If you have a social life that puts you in a tuxedo more than once every year or so, do yourself a favor and have one made for you. No one over 50 should rent a tuxedo."