SPOTLIGHT ON ... FASHION
June 2006
Men Have It Made
by Jessica Garrison
Let's face it ladies: men have it made when it comes to being fashionable. A pair of khaki slacks and a white button down shirt have long been accepted as symbols of a well dressed man. If they need to step it up a notch for a business meeting, they throw on a black suit, shirt and tie. To lighten the mood and make it casual, a T-shirt and shorts with a pair of sandals. There aren't that many variables…or are there?
In recent years, men's fashion has evolved into a market almost as big as women's fashion has been since, well… since women started wearing clothes. GQ Magazine has sections in both its printed magazine and website on fashion trends, Do's and Don'ts, and Essential Items for any man to have. Snapshots of men strutting their stuff down the catwalk at fashion show after fashion show appear, with one particular theme that caught my eye: jewelry.
GQ's 'All the Young Dudes' online Trend Report states that the newest male trend is an old one - the Glam Rock Look. Next to a photo of a rock singer looking oh so glam, it declares, "with the mullet, necklace, and, of course, the extended microphone, Ima Robot singer Alex Ebert works both the crowd and the trend."
After stumbling upon photo after photo of men wearing jewelry, I did a little research and found some handy guidelines for making men's jewelry that is fashion-friendly, and how they should wear it. Since necklaces add sex appeal and personal style to your ensemble, a man's necklace should be bold and simple. Don't go for an entire rainbow of colors or for anything too busy. Is he looking to convey a sense of power and prestige? Go for precious metals like platinum, gold, or sterling silver. Does he walk to the beat of his own drum, and convey fashion sense? Try a beaded or strung necklace to fit his individuality. Necklaces and pendants using natural materials, such as shells, stones, and wood are a simple yet strong choice. They should be worn inside the shirt (i.e., not hanging around a collar or outside a sweater). Neck jewelry works well with tee shirts and simple long sleeve shirts and sweaters.
From www.jewelry.beautystyle.biz.
As a rule, I would suggest stringing all men's jewelry designs on .024 Diameter Soft Flex® or Soft Touch™ Wire, as it will give the best longevity to the design.
Here is our suggested list for making that special guy in your life a unique piece of jewelry:
Leather
P’leather
Shell Beads
African and Bone Beads
Artisan Glass
Chunky nuggets and larger stones
Soft Flex and Soft Touch .024/Heavy Wire
Soft Flex 2x3mm, 3x3mm, 3x4mm and 3x5mm Sterling Silver or Gold Filled Crimp Tubes
