Where To Shop
http://www.casualmale.com/: This website is a perfect site for a bigmen trendsetter. They offer everything from socks and boxers to suits and shoes. They carry house brands (626 BLUE®, Canyon Ridge®) and name brand labels as well (Polo Ralph Lauren® ,Nautical Jeans Co.®). Since this is a specialty store; their prices are a little more expensive, BUT they offer their own credit card and a points program for frequent buyer (much like a Kroger plus card). This store, website, or catalog (all three are available for your shopping convenience) carries it all. It helps to know your measurements so you can tell the store reps and they will be able to guide you to what you need. They carry it all from xl-6xl and xlt-5xlt for those tall trendsetters. The store is very fashion forward. Check it out and let us know what you think. We here at bigmen trendsetters give Casual Male a big ups for looking out for us.
http://www.rocawear.com/: This is for you trendsetters who need to get down to the basics, and need to stick to the urban attire. While this site only carries their own brand, and doesn’t really offer a variety of clothing for you trendsetters who fell the need to be more business. They do offer you us big men a way to "keep it hood". They keep their big and tall section up to date, and offer the clothing as it is available, and the color selection. Another nice thing the website will tell you if the clothing will run true to fit, loose, or smaller. This is always an advantage so you can plan ahead. If you all read Vibe magazine you will see many ads featuring Jay-Z and the rocawear website. Vibe is also a fashion forward magazine, check them out and see what’s poppin for the season in fashion.
Just to keep my fellow trendsetters trendsetting, spring 2009 it’s green. So get to trendsetting.
Trendsetters there are literally a ton of places we shop at. I posted a few, and I personally shop at these stores. We are a blogspot so get to blogging; let us know where you shop at and where we can find the hook ups, or where to stay away from.
Bigmentrendsetters: There is trendsetting in progress
Check Out These Websites
www.RochesterClothing.com- Instead of the usual Big & Tall store why don't you try this website. It carry's everything from designer shirts to denim in plus sizes.
Watching Your Surroundings
Style File
This week's Style File highlights Actor/Comedian Cedric the Entertainer. "Ceddy" is best known for his roles in BarberShop, The Steve Harvey Show, and Kings of Comedy. Hardly ever seen without his hat, Cedric always looks polished in a suit:
Even on stage he keeps it quite eloquent in a pinstriped vest and tailored slacks.
No matter the occasion Cedric the Entertainer is a certified Big Man Trendsetter!
What Not To Wear
In the picture above, what was your first thought? It probably was not a positive one. Maybe you chuckled to yourself. Maybe you shook your head. Whatever your reaction, ask yourself the following questions: What message am I sending to others? Does my clothing and grooming reveal an attitude of indifference or a sense of responsibility? Respect or disrespect? Carelessness or dependability?
Wearing clothing that fits can not only make you look better. but it can also make you feel better. A Big Man Trendsetter, wears appropriate men's clothing that best shows your interests, personality, and individuality instead of wearing clothing that may promote unnecessary and misleading perceptions about who you really are. Don’t simply focus on current fashion trends and styles of the moment, but shop at stores that project the true image you want to send to those you come in contact with.
Nordstrom offers up to a 52L in suits http://shop.nordstrom.com/C/6017043/0~2376777~2374609~6002233~6017043?mediumthumbnail=Y&origin=leftnav&pbo=2374609
Macy’s offers a wide variety of sizes for Big and Tall men http://www1.macys.com/catalog/index.ognc?CategoryID=22178&PageID=95255329337325&kw=Big%20%26%20Tall
Ralph Lauren now has a Big and Tall section offering up to a size 6x http://www.ralphlauren.com/shop/index.jsp?categoryId=1995989&cp=1995989&ab=ln_men_cs_big&tall
Friday Fashion In The NBA
Look at the way he wears the oriental garment. looking so natural as the yellow compliments his face band-aid AND the Microphone. Unbelievable.
.....OK that was a joke... Now really...Back to NBA Fashion
Above King James
I personally LOVE this outfit. I'm a sweater man myself but to each his own right? Sweaters are versatile and can be worn with a button up or just a T-shirt as pictured above. The Simple Striped sweater that's accompanied by the light brown shoes really make this outfit. The White Pants some wouldn't do but with the shoes it really makes the outfit work. Perfect Spring Outfit
CP3 Above
I posted this ensemble because i think it captures the essence of the Pocket Square. Under-rated yet so simple, it can really make an outfit go from looking good to having others take notes.
D Will Above
The Linen.. Killing it right with such simplicity. Sometimes it doesn't take much effort to come fresh and make a statement. D pulled that off very well with this ensemble.
Pretty Boy Floyd Above
"Money cant buy class"
Will end it this week on this picture. Mayweather pictured above drapped up in Damier Print Louis Vuitton. Wearing all Gucci or Prada doesn't mean you have style. Just because you can afford to wear designer and name brand doesn't mean you have style. Trendsetters take a piece and add's his own personal style or flare to it. Anyone can copy whats on a store manikin.
-Cam
Romantic Rendezvous for Two
1 1/2 teaspoons olive oil
10 medium shrimp, peeled and deveined
1 1/2 teaspoons minced garlic
What is Trendsetting?
- TREND-SETTER (Noun): Someone who popularizes a new fashion
- TREND (Noun): The general direction in which something tends to move
A trendsetter is a leader and innovator in every aspect of his life. This extends from fashion, to the community, all the way to your job. You can not slack in any area. I mean how can you have on a tailored Versace suit, and dirt in your nails? How can you have a 42" LG plasma screen, and still eat pizza out of the box on the floor? How can you have the job of your dreams, and do just enough to get by?
As it is African Americans are not given enough credit for being trendsetters in America. Who are naturally born with big lips and big butts? Who introduced the world to the blues, jazz, R&B, and Hip-Hop? Yet who often gets the credit? Therefore we as African Americans have to work 10 times harder to prove we are truly Trendsetters.
Trendsetting is a state of mind; any and everybody can be a trendsetter. A Big Man Trendsetter follows his personal style yet manages to pull off a look others find admirable. If others don't approve....oh well....he still wears/does/says what he likes. This blog is meant to inspire, motivate, and encourage all to find the trendsetter within.
Dressing Better
The way you dress fellas speaks alot about the person you are or the way people look at you as.
Dressing well is a key to those first impressions, weather out on a date or just casual everyday things of life. You want to come across with a image that defines you and not one that takes away from the person you really are. Do not think it takes a shopping spree to make changes. In the economy we live in the dollar value seems to decrease while the prices seem to increase. So lets discuss a few economic efficient ways to start dressing better without having to get in debt trying to do so.
First Off,
As Big men we have to realize that not everything name brand comes in our size.
Instead of trying to fit into that name brand shirt that you have no business in, buy quality items that fit you nicely. Sagging and oversized clothes are not a good look and at the same time seeing your heart beat in your shirt isnt either.
1. They Key to dressing better is all about How the clothes fit. That cant be stressed enough.
2. Find out what your personal style is, what i prefer and fits me is not going to be what the next man likes or prefers.
3. Personal Grooming.. Also a key.. depending on what you prefer just make sure its clean and doesnt detract from you.
4. Colors, I've noticed some colors look better on me than others. Shop around and try out some things. It also wouldnt hurt to bring a friend or ask the assistance of others on what looks good on you.
Just some things to think about
-Cam
SUIT YOUR SHAPE
So you're not the size of a male model-welcome to the club. Whether you're tall or short, stocky or lanky, there are style secrets to making a suit look right for your body. Here, we take four celebrated body shapes and show you exactly how to look your best-without lifting a weight or counting a calorie.
The Short Man
Apolo Ohno: Gold-medal-winning Olympic speed skater, Dancing with the Stars champ
5'8"165 lbs
"All the suits I buy have to be tailored, no matter what. But it's not just because of my height; it's because I've been skating for so long. My waist is very small, but my legs are just huge. Most really nice suitmakers are Italian, and usually they make suit pants for Italian men. I'm like, Those Italians must have pretty skinny legs."
Don'ts:
• Don't wear a longer suit jacket. It just makes your legs look shorter.
• Don't wear fat ties and wide lapels; keep it slim.
After
The 5 Tips Every Short Man Should Know
1) Be honest with yourself. Admit you're short and buy short-length suits.
2) A pant leg with very little break will help you look taller.
3) Show some cuff to lengthen the look of your arms.
4) A peak lapel helps elongate your physique.
5) A lower button stance creates long lines, and that essentially stretches you out.
A Belt Makes You Look Shorter…
The more pared-down you are, the taller you'll appear. So ditch the belt. Going beltless looks cool, and if your suit fits properly, your pants will stay in place.
Short Man, Slim Shoe
You don't want to look like you've got weights around your ankles. Wear slender shoe
Before
The Tall Man
Raja Bell: Shooting guard, Phoenix Suns
6'5"210 lbs
"When I first got into the NBA, I tried to buy a couple of suits off the rack, but they didn't fit. To get the length I needed, I also got boxiness. They would have to taper the jacket, but then I felt like I had wings under the armpits. So I started going to a tailor. And that's the key: Pick out a good tailor and just trust him… You want the suit to fit the way you want it to fit, but let him handle the details. That's what he gets paid to do."
• Don't buy suits with oversize, padded shoulders. They swallow you up, making you look frailer, not bigger.
• Don't wear extra-slim ties. You need ties with a bit of width so they won't appear to elongate your torso.
The 5 Tips Every Tall Man Should Know
1) Lighter colors add width to a narrow frame.
2) A two-button suit works great on a tall man-as long as the suit has relatively high-cut lapels.
3) Just because you're tall doesn't mean you need an extra-long suit size. Try on a long first.
4) Keep the amount of cuff you show to a minimum.
5) Ask for a decent amount of break in your trousers, so your long legs don't look too long.
Suit, $1,830, by Prada at Barneys New York. Shirt, $640, by Jil Sander at Barneys New York. Tie, $150, by Gucci. Shoes, $315, by Allen-Edmonds.
Tall Man, Rounded Shoe
Take a pass on those pointy dress shoes-you don't want to make your feet look longer than they are. Opt instead for a slightly rounder toe, to help keep your foot size in check.
Get in the Loop
After you knot your tie, never have enough length left to reach the back loop? Don't buy a new, longer tie; just ask your tailor to move up the loop.
Divide and Conquer
When you're tall, you want your clothes to play down your height-to keep things in proportion. Accessories that cut across your body, such as belts, quarter-folded pocket squares, and horizontally striped ties, help accomplish this.
Before
The Large Man
Horatio Sanz: Actor/comedian, Saturday Night Live alum
5'9"250 lbs
"One of the problems I have is with shirts: Getting my neck size to match my body size is difficult, and sometimes the collar is too high, too-I end up feeling choked. With pants, I wear mine a little high, and sometimes they ride up too much or feel like they're going to fall off if they're not high enough. Basically, I've spent my life trying to avoid wearing suits on a regular basis. The last suit I bought from a store was for my junior prom. It was kind of silver in color, and my mom adjusted it for me."
Don'ts:
• Don't wear a roomy suit. It doesn't make you look slimmer-it makes you look sloppy.
• Don't go untucked.
After
The 5 Tips Every Large Man Should Know
1) Wear a pocket square. It brings the focus to your chest, not your gut.
2) Keep your jacket buttoned unless you're sitting down.
3) Wear a simple, elegant shirt. Avoid plaids and checks.
4) You can wear flat-front pants. They are engineered to be comfortable, even without pleats. 5) Avoid superskinny ties and lapels. Proportion with your torso is key.
Suspend Your Weight
Avoid having to choose between strapping your pants above or below your belly: Wear suspenders and float your waist.
Big Man, Solid Shoe
Choose shoes that have a substantial sole. You need something solid to anchor your weight.
Friday Fashion From The Men Of The NBA
Since the dress code has been put into place the scene has changed coming into NBA Locker Rooms Across the country. Each week will bring you some of the latest trends from these big men and show you how even when your 7ft you can still be stylish and a Trendsetter.
5 Inexpensive Ways To Get The Ladies This Summer
1.) Make the barber shop your second home. Most haircuts are 15-25 dollars, and you can find a barber shop on every other corner so that means no excuses. Whether its a close cute, ceasar, fade, or braids ladies love a man that is neatly trimmed.
4.)Make good use of you clothes. Baggy clothes are out, flat out. If you want to impress the ladies wear clothes that fit...I didnt clothes that are TIGHT!...but clothes that fit. Now with those clothes make sure they are clean, in good condition, pressed, and match. Yes match. Then there is the shoes. Fellas its true. Ladies do judge you buy how your shoes are. So make sure your shoes stay fresh. Lastly there is jewlery. I know the rappers do it, but dont wear exssesive amounts of jewlery. It doesnt work for the average guy. Most girls are going to think its fake any way.
Style Spotlight
Or more casual in linen pants and cotton top
Regardless of the occasion Bruce Bruce is a certified Big Man Trendsetter
FashionDiva
What Not to Wear
Here we see Jay on the beach with wife Beyonce hold a black sandal with 2 wide strips
Yet again Jay on the beach with Beyonce this time wearing thong sandals.
Yes fellas it can be done. So this summer, think twice before you step out the house in your Nike sandals and matching socks.....Be an Big Man Trendsetter and follow this link for some affordable alternatives. http://shop.nordstrom.com/C/2372856/0~2376778~2372807~2372856?mediumthumbnail=Y&origin=leftnav&pbo=2376778
It Truly is A Reccesion....The NBA?
The National Basketball Association (NBA) will borrow 175 million dollars to serve as aid to teams that might struggle in the weak global economy, Sports Business Journal reported Thursday. The report said the presumption is teams would use the funds to cover operating losses and that while the league was not looking to borrow, Bank of America and JPMorgan came to the NBA several weeks ago with the opportunity.
Half of the league's 30 teams agreed there was a need to go through with the borrowing, according to the report, which said the money will supplement a 1.7 billion-dollar credit facility that uses the NBA's broadcast contracts as loan collateral.
The deal comes with interest rates up to 8.27 percent and each of the 15 teams that wanted to borrow could take a maximum of 11.66 million dollars from the debt proceeds, according to the Journal.
"In this economic environment, it's tremendous that the league can place such a facility," Orlando Magic chief operating officer Alex Martins told the Journal.
"It certainly helps us bridge the time period between now and when we move into our new events center in 2010. We've been operating at a 15 (million) to 20 million (dollar annual) loss over the past half-dozen years so it helps us.
"The Sacramento Kings are another likely candidate to dip into the loan funds after reports earlier this month said the California club could lose as much as 25 million dollars this season.
Ryan Leslie Interview by Bossip
Diddy’s ivy league protege’, Ryan Leslie, has journeyed from Harvard to artistry almost seamlessly:
Bossip: So, tell me how you went from Harvard to the music industry.
Ryan Leslie: My parents are immigrants from the Caribbean Islands. My mother whom is Dutch, Chinese and African descent would meet my father who was born in Barbados and raised in Trinidad, and connect based on their love for music. Music is something that comes from my parents, but also from my parents comes a strong sense of education. Being, immigrants, they wanted to make sure that my sister and I had a fair shot at achieving the American dream, which would be to live our passions. They knew that education was an essential building block in the foundation of that pursuit. I was a precocious youngster, and was getting into a lot of trouble in school. Finally one of my teachers suggested that I go for testing. I tested into the talented, gifted program. Initially I wanted to be a doctor because I wanted my parents to be proud of me. As a kid (15) I tested out of high school. I applied to Harvard, Stanford and Yale. With great pride and honor my parents shipped me off as a teenager to Harvard.
Bossip: You were a pre-med major? When did you decide to do music?
Ryan Leslie: During that time I was introduced to the music of Stevie Wonder and was resolved to chase the contribution and the legacy. I called my father and said that I’ve found my calling in life and I’m switching majors, I’m no longer pre-med. I’m going to go to a humanities major which would allow me more time to focus on music. There was a studio in the basement of my dorm, and I taught myself to produce records. Four years later with three academic probation slaps on the wrist, I did graduate on time.
Bossip: When did you hook up with Diddy?
Ryan Leslie: Fast forward to 2003, after many thwarted attempts, and producing for independent acts, I started interning for a producer who introduced my music to Diddy. Diddy signed me on the spot after a chance meeting and hearing a record I produced for New Edition called “Hot Tonight”. All at once in 2003, my life changed. I was looking at six figure checks and was able to repay my father who invested some credit in my career. From 2003 to 2005, I was under the mentorship of Diddy. After a very fruitful relationship two year management with him, I signed my first artist to the Next Selection Imprint. Her name is Cassie. I wrote and produced our very first single, Me and You went on to write and produce her entire first album.
Bossip: Tell us about your album, Ryan Leslie.
Ryan Leslie: My cd is about six years in the making. After many delays, we’ve been able to come to an agreement. This album is a snapshot of my life. It’s self titled for the simple fact that if you know the name of album, you know the name of the singer, producer and background singer. When I would read the credits in the albums of people like Prince, James Brown and Stevie Wonder, I would see that it was written, arranged and produced by the artist. I wanted to make that type of contribution.
Bossip: What’s your genre?
Ryan Leslie: I find it challenging to categorize myself because I just do the music that I love, the music that inspires me. I wouldn’t personally categorize my music in any specific genre.
I loved the presto's so I'll be getting a pair when they come out this summer.
New Bape Shoes
Have a more detailed look at all three colorways of the Bape “Fluprescent” Skullstas after the jump.
I didnt know Bape's was still hot...guess they are. What yall think?