With the weather slowly warming up, now is the perfect time to transition your dull, winter wardrobe into something a little brighter.  Put away the dark colors and heavyweight fabrics and reintroduce a little color into your day-to-day attire. Here are 5 wardrobe essentials we recommend for spring.

The Navy Blazer

A navy blazer is one of the most fundamental pieces in your wardrobe because it is by far the most versatile. Whether you are going to the office, out to dinner, or cruising in your yacht the navy blazer is a great option for just about any occasion. Lighten up a midnight-navy blazer by opting for a brighter British blue fabric instead.  The lighter blue is a great way to introduce vibrant colors into your spring wardrobe.

Buttons will also help transform the look of your blazer. For a modern look, replace the traditional brass buttons for a darker mother of pearl button.  This will transform the style of your blazer from traditional and preppy to fresh and contemporary.

Light Gray Suit

Just as a dark charcoal suit compliments winter, the light gray suit is synonymous with spring. The light gray works perfectly with soft pastels and bold patterned shirts, giving you unlimited versatility within your wardrobe. To finish the look, wear it with chili-colored shoes and a camel colored belt.

The Sport Coat

A patterned sport coat is the easiest way to incorporate color into your wardrobe.  Often made in bold prints, the sport coat blends a myriad of colors in one single jacket.  For those who like a little pop of color, change the lapel buttonhole stitching to match one of the colors in your jacket.  If you’re going for the casual look, pair your sport coat with a patterned button down shirt that ties in one or more of the colors in your jacket.

Cotton Patterned Socks

It’s time to retire your boring wool socks and incorporate a little life into your footwear routine.  The latest trend in menswear is a trim cut slack that (when sitting) highlights your patterned socks.  Now that the weather is warm, add some pep in your step by picking up a pair of V.K. Nagrani’s colorful, cotton socks.

Pastels and Prints (Shirts)

Spring is the perfect time of year to sport your plaids, striped, and checked pattern shirts. When it comes to spring patterns, the bolder the better.  Color, pattern, and texture should all play a part in foundation of your spring wardrobe. So trade out a basic white shirt for a lavender gingham plaid and embrace the brighter side of spring.

As we settle upon the last few weeks of winter and await the warmer months of spring, we will undoubtedly combat snow, rain, slush and everything in between. The real challenge comes when you’re forced to try and protect your wardrobe from mother nature’s wrath. Listed below are a few items that will help safeguard your wardrobe from head to toe.

The Trench Coat

A great way to protect your custom, wool suit from rain and snow is to invest in a quality trench coat.  From Humphrey Bogart to Dick Tracy, the trench coat has been a quintessential staple in men’s fashion for over 100 years. Origins of the trench coat began during the Boer War for the British military.  The goal was to design a coat that not only repelled water, but also kept the wearer warm and ventilated simultaneously.  Today, the trench serves the same function and for this reason it is one of the most versatile forms of outerwear.  A good tip, is to have your trench coats scotch guarded 1-2 times a year.  This will force any water that comes into contact with your coat to bead off rather than soak in and ruin your suit.

Galoshes 

Also known as slicks or rubbers, these shoe protectors are worn over your dress shoes and are a great way to salvage your shoes from a treacherous walk in the snow.  Sure, we all know that you’re supposed to wear galoshes when its dropping buckets of snow, but what most men don’t realize is that it is more important to wear them on the day the snow has melted.  Despite the absence of snow, the streets leave behind a substantial amount of salt exposing your shoes to a higher risk of cracking and becoming dried out.

Umbrellas

Like any other accessory your umbrella should be an extension of your own personal style.  Aside from keeping you dry, it should be sophisticated and considered a completion of your wardrobe.  Invest in a high quality umbrella that has superb functionality and a signature style.  Davek (yes, we carry them) is known for making top of the line umbrellas that are built to last a lifetime.

Simply by incorporating these weather repellent tools, you’re suits and shoes are guaranteed to last and keep you looking great.  Not to mention they will help transition your wardrobe from season to season.

So Fresh and So Clean, Clean

One of the most common questions we are asked at BALANI is how to properly care for a suit.  Your suits from BALANI are an investment, and for this particular investment, longevity is key.  Sure, wear and tear is inevitable, but there are things you can do to help prevent your one-year old suit from looking like it was purchased during the Clinton administration.

First, only dry-clean your suit between 2-4 times a year. Yes, you read that correctly. The chemicals used in dry cleaning can substantially damage your suit as well as shorten its normal lifespan. Instead, have your suits machine steam-pressed regularly by your dry cleaner; which is a 500 degree blast of steam killing all bacteria, removing all odors and releasing all wrinkles. If you’re prone to spilling, have your dry-cleaner spot clean rather than have them dry-clean the entire suit.

Next, hang your suits on a proper suit hanger and scatter cedar blocks throughout your closet to prevent moths from getting into your clothes. Moths eat through fabrics, leaving large holes in your suits. Fortunately, the oil found in cedar is a natural repellent, and will kill off those pesky moths with destructive motives.

Lastly, for the gentlemen who are very particular, invest in a quality made suit brush.  Why bother?  Simply put, brushing your suit after each wear can extend its lifespan by a decade. Made from either synthetic fibers or natural animal hair, brushing removes built-up dust and food particles that can get lodged in your suit causing the wool to break down.

Simply by dry-cleaning less, brushing your suit more, and incorporating cedar blocks into your closet, you will drastically increase the lifespan of your wardrobe. Because let’s face it, no one wants to see their investment go up in flames or get eaten by moths. So be sure to protect your BALANI suits in order to get the maximum return: a lifetime of looking good.

Now that Movember is finally over, say goodbye to the creepy Zach Galifianakis facial hair and say hello to a razor and shaving cream. Before you groan in protest, keep in mind that a survey conducted by Schick concluded that 76% of women prefer their man to have a clean-shaven face.
Getting the perfect shave requires the right tools, preparation, and technique. To avoid the classic shaving pitfalls, i.e., razor burn and those pesky ingrown hairs, simply, incorporate the following steps into your daily routine.

Step 1: Shaving Tools and Products

Using a quality razor blade is fundamental for getting a close, clean shave. Whether you prefer 3 blades or 6, make sure that you replace your razor with a fresh one every 2-3 weeks.

Shaving cream is as essential as the razor you use. Make sure your shaving cream has a glycerin base, e.g., Truefiit & Hill 1805 Tub. The glycerin base will help trap moisture and hydrate your skin as you shave.

Step 2: Preparation

Preparation is key. In order to open the pores on your face and soften the hair follicles, always shave after a shower or apply a hot, damp towel to your skin prior to shaving. To avoid nicks and cuts, apply a dime size amount of pre-shaving oil to your face and massage thoroughly into your facial hair.

After you have applied the pre-shaving oil, use a stiff badger-hair brush to apply the shaving cream to your face in a circular motion. This helps retain water and preps the beard by raising the hairs on your face.

Step 3: Shaving Techniques

A razor should always be drawn in the same direction as stubble growth. This is referred to as shaving with the grain of the hair. By doing so, you help prevent ingrown hairs and skin irritation. It is also important that you keep the razor well rinsed, so that the blade doesn’t get clogged.

Start shaving by your sideburns and then work down toward your chin and neck. Make sure your free hand is holding the skin taut while you shave. For the more prominent parts of your face, i.e., chin and jawbone, be sure to use the middle part of the blade.

Once you finish shaving, apply cold water to your skin to close the pores. Finish by lightly patting on an alcohol-free aftershave, e.g., Truefitt & Hill 1805 After Shave splash, to sooth the skin.

By completing these 3 simple steps, you will be sure to get the best and cleanest shave possible. Step up your shaving game, and come to BALANI for Truefitt & Hill’s collection of shaving products and accessories!