VERITAS | Men's Style Blog

Don't Sweat It

Yes, it's summer, and you're obviously going to work up a bit of sweat. But do you find yourself sweating in abnormally excessive amounts, especially in your armpits, hands and feet? Tried all the antiperspirants in the market, including the latest that tout "clinical strength," yet found them utterly useless? There's a chance that you may be suffering from a medical condition called hyperhidrosis, and treatment is available via medication and surgical procedures depending on your specific condition.

The latest procedure for underarm sweating that's been approved by the FDA is Botulinum Toxin Type A, or Botox, injections. Injected directly in the armpits through a very fine needle, it blocks the chemical signals from the nerves that simulate the sweat glands and can reduce perspiration by more than 50 percent. The procedure at the doctor's office takes 10-15 minutes and the effects last about 6-9 months, at which point the treatment gradually wears off, leaving you back at your original sweating level. If the treatment works for you, you can continue with follow-up injections. If not, you can let it run its course and eventually out of your system. Also, many insurance plans cover most or all of this procedure, so you may not have to sweat footing the bill on your own.

I'm usually pretty bullheaded against ingesting or injecting pharmaceuticals or any non-natural medicine or chemicals - I don't even take Advil unless it's dire, and that's basically never. However, I make an exception this time in passing along this information because I understand that conditions like this can seriously and negatively affect the quality of one's social and emotional life, creating undue anxiety, embarrassment and frustration. If these procedures can help someone reduce their suffering and elevate their sense of well-being, I think it's worth checking out.

As mentioned, there are various treatments available, but Botox seems to be most promising based on my quick research. For more info, check out the International Hyperhidrosis Society, the Botox Treatment for Hyperhidrosis site, and speak with your dermatologist to see what options are right for you.

Hope this helps you to find relief from your sweating predicament - heaven knows there are enough things to sweat over in life than... you know... sweating.

[Photos, Doron Gild for Details]

Old Soles, Re-Soled

Bass and Florsheim - two painfully mainstream American shoe brands - reinvent themselves this year by moving away from it's ancient, stodgy, mall-staple past and toward a more fashionable direction.

G.H. Bass & Co. was founded in 1876 in Wilton, Maine. The original Bass Weejun was introduced in 1936 and worn by the likes of JFK, Michael Jackson (RIP), and James Dean, elevating the "penny loafer" to iconic heights. The company recently released its latest, and by far its most fashionable, Weejun model:  The "Dover." It has a leaner profile, smoother lines, elongated toe box and slimmer heel. The change seems to be just the right touch of modernity and fashion without being too fashion-forward, falling squarely in the category of "classic with a twist." If you don't like deviating too far from the classics but want a more streamlined, updated look, this is a great shoe for you. Über fashion types best stick with Gucci and Prada. Available in Black or Burgundy, $125.

Florsheim was  founded in 1892 in Chicago, Illinois, by Milton Florsheim, and is currently based in Glendale, Wisconsin. Teaming with emerging avant-garde designer duo Daniel Silver and Steven Cox of Duckie Brown, the collaborative label is called Florsheim by Duckie Brown. The collection offers tastefully-retro-yet-thoroughly-modern updates on the traditional Florsheim shoe, with injections of bold colors and fashion details. Styles run from saddle shoes, loafers, wingtips (check out the laceless wingtips, below), plain-toe lace-ups, brogues and brogue boots. Prices range from $175 for suede loafers (a version of Florsheim's "Riva" suede loafer, below), $295 for wingtips, $396-$595 for brogues and brogue boots. Most Florsheim shoes retail for about $100 with some styles climbing upwards of $200, so the prices seem fairly reasonable considering these are unique, small-production, fashion-forward designer shoes. The shoes are available starting August 1st at Barneys New York, Odin New York, Scoop Soho, Confederacy in LA, select Nordstrom locations, and where else but... Florsheim stores nationwide.

Navy Blazer, Part II: Work It Good

[In case you missed the previous post, check out: "Navy Blazer, Part I: Give Up the Gold."]

By now you know that the navy blazer is the item to have for summer dressing.

But then what? How do you make it work? What shirts, pants, shoes, belts - and in what colors - do you wear with that amazing navy jacket without looking like you belong to an alma mater or maritime association?

If these burning questions leave you sleepless at night, here are some tips on how to work that glorious navy jacket.

Basic - Solid and Sensational
Collared shirts in solid pale shades such as white, blue, pink, grey, lilac, mint and peach beautifully compliment navy. Wearing a tie? Break up the excess solid by introducing texture, such as a tone-on-tone patterned tie (topmost image) or a solid knit one - double points for patterned knit ties. Want a little more sleek? Go for the monochromatic look with a navy shirt, but undo the top button and ditch the tie - you want to partake in sophisticated ease, solid but well-ventilated - not like you got painted over with navy. For more causal days, knit pullovers in a crew or V in solid or heathered hues look right. Be sure it's the grown-up kind in fine cashmere, silk, or cotton - not the ones you wear to the gym.

Intermediate - Open to Possibilities
Patterned shirts in graphic stripes and checks in small to smallish-medium sizes on white backgrounds look modern, crisp and sharp. Prints aren't for everyone, but if you're a print man, a multi-colored, festive burst of color - chosen tastefully - will provide a playful pop of freshness ideal for summer. Here, you do the opposite of breaking up the monotony of solids (see "Basic"): You now tone down the patterns by wearing a dark, solid tie or a close-to-solid one - in which case a solid knit tie works here just as well. Try knit pullovers in brighter, more eye-catching solids, or in neutral/softer shades accented with tipping. For more visual interest, go for fine knits in thin-to-medium stripes.

Advanced - More is More
Layer pattern-upon-pattern-upon-texture-upon-color-upon-contrast. This one's a bold move, so tread carefully. As not to overdo it, which is very easy to do, designate only one or two bold elements (above, the tie and collar) and let the rest recede - although this patterned shirt is colorful, it's still soft and fine compared to the highly graphic tie. Knit tops are striking, in bold stripes or color blocks. At this level, it's about showmanship, displaying confidence and style - and knee-deep in dandy territory.

A sliver of solid pocket square (by square I mean square) adds final finesse to any of the above options.

Pants: Well-fitting pants in flat front, with straight legs on the slim or slightly tapered side is most current, with a slight break at the hem. If you're one for being in the fashion moment, show a flash of ankle. Colors in white, khaki, and grey are great choices. Jeans can run the gamut from super dark to white to washed/broken-in (see image of the guy with the baseball bat from the post "Spring Colors"). However, show some respect for the jacket and steer clear from too broken-in/distressed jeans, where there's rips and holes - reserve that for panhandling on Venice Beach.

Shoes and Belts: Generally, you want your shoe and belt colors to coordinate. They don't have to be a perfect match (that's boring anyway), but should complement each other. Depending on the occasion, your preference or mood, lace-ups and brogues, loafers and driving shoes, classic sneakers such as Stan Smiths and Jack Purcells are at your disposal. If you're into prep, or boats, there's always the Topsider, which has made a huge comeback lately. You don't need special belts for summer, but ones made from cloth or braided leather are especially appropriate for summer.

Navy with brown shoes and belts are a gorgeous combo - and you already know that. But you may be wondering: What about black shoes and belts with navy? Most people have come to think that black can never be friends with navy, but you know what? Done right, navy-and-black is one bad-ass duo. So how do you do it?

Wearing Navy-and-Black: First, in order to wear black shoes and belts with navy, having other black or blackish elements that link back to them help - this allows the eyes to move around the black parts instead of focusing on the one or two areas. Wearing a light shirt with dark jeans or pants is one option, although I don't recommend wearing black pants unless you know what you're doing. Another is to wear a black-and-white patterned shirt or sweater. If you wear a tie, wear a black one. Worn together with the navy jacket, white or grey pants work better with black shoes and accessories than khakis and other warm colors. You can see some examples of these techniques in the photos above and easily picture them with black shoes and belts.

A caveat: Successful navy-and-black dressing comes with a contingency - confidence. If you don't think you've got it yet, you have plenty to work on with navy-and-brown. Once you've masted that, you can slowly build up to the force that's navy-and-black. No rush. Just enjoy looking splendid every step of the way.

Navy Blazer, Part I: Give Up the Gold

As mentioned on the previous post, the navy sport jacket is the most versatile article of clothing to top off much of anything you wear in warm seasons. Not as serious as black, brighter navy shades feel vibrant, cool and crisp for hot days and nights, while darker navy exudes the gravitas that you may miss from wearing black, but with a bit more life blown into it.

Again, if you find yourself unable to deviate from black, start out with a deep, inky navy that looks dark navy during the day and almost black at night - consider it as training wheels before you advance to a true navy, which should clearly be more blue-cast than black. But even if you never get past this gorgeous shade of midnight, it doesn't matter - you're still wearing navy, and a deep, rich one at that.

No navy blazer talk would be complete without the gold button discussion. I wouldn't completely dismiss them, but they are definitely conventional. It could be argued that it's a classic, but unless you work for the GOP or run within/work in a very conservative and/or exclusive setting, the look will come across out-of-date and boring for most guys who want to show some personality and modernity. Unless you can somehow work it subversively as a fashion statement, it wouldn't fly - and most guys don't have enough fashion savvy to pull it off in this way, anyway. In defense of the gold button though, I would say that the guy below looks handsome and presentable, but from a style and originality perspective, all he's getting from me at best is..."Meh."

If you absolutely love those metal buttons, the only thing I can suggest is to make the switch from shiny gold to matte brass or nickel. Better yet, if you like the look and fit of your navy blazer and can part with the gold buttons, get them replaced with plastic or corozo buttons in a matching shade of navy -  you'll feel like you have a brand new jacket.

Now that you've got a rockin' navy blazer in order, up next: How to work it, and work it good!

Sucker-Proof Blazer

One item you should have equipped in your summer wardrobe arsenal is the cotton blazer, and the best point-of-entry into the world of cotton sport jackets is the navy blazer. Here's a beautiful, modern, innovative version of navy cotton via a summertime classic - the seersucker jacket.

If you've had a curiosity for seersucker, but weren't sure how to - or if you even can - pull off the classic blue-and-white striation that you normally see around and in stores, let this jacket forever extinguish your doubts. Instead of the characteristic blue-and-white stripes of the conventional seersucker variety, this one - by Calvin Klein Collection - is woven in navy-and black, instantly transforming a fabric that induces many questions to one that demands unquestionable chic.

This blazer brims over with smart versatility. First, because the striped colors are tonal instead of in contrast, the fabric has the look of what's called "solid-non-solid," meaning that it looks almost solid, but has a duo-tone surface interest. Additionally, the traditional puckered weave of the seersucker adds another element of texture, rendering much visual interest without need for extra noise or graphic distractions. Second, being both navy and black, the jacket straddles between both color realms, making it even more versatile in sporting over almost anything you wear. During the day, it will look deep navy; at night it will look almost black. Third, it's cut lean and modern in a 2-button style that will take you anywhere and to any occasion, short of a black tie affair.

At $795, it's a stretch on most wallets. But a jacket like this doesn't come around often, and once it's gone, you may never encounter another quite like it. With proper care and wear, the jacket will continue to pay forward in high style, function, and originality for years to come, long after it's paid its sticker price.

But what I'm really hoping for is that the design studios at more affordable labels are smart enough to catch onto this and roll out their versions of this ultra cool, ultra smart seersucker blazer. Unfortunately, if they start development now and it does come to market, you'll see it no earlier than Summer 2011.

So if you find something similar already out there in a price point you can work with, please go ahead and grab it, pay for it, and walk out the store in it - you'd be a sucker not to.

[Photo: Paul Maffi for Details]