The Guys' Place

The right pair of jeans can make a big difference in the way you look and feel. A good pair of jeans can take you from casual Friday to a night on the town. Since we guys don't usually like to spend a lot of time shopping and trying on clothes, it can be hard to find the perfect pair, but if you keep a few simple guidelines in mind you'll find the style that flatters you most in no time.

Start by thinking about how much you're willing to spend. They don't have to be a $300.00 pair of Acne jeans from Barneys New York to be good quality, but you probably want to stay away from the $20.00 jeans at Wal-Mart. There are some excellent mid-priced options like True Religion which offers quality and contemporary styles for under $100.00. Rock and Republic has slightly funkier styles that would appeal to younger men for around $80.00.

You can get a great pair of jeans for less if you shop carefully in better department stores and specialty retailers like Gap. The brand doesn't matter nearly as much as the quality. Always make sure the material feels heavy and substantial and that the stitching looks tight and consistent. Avoid thin denim as it will wear out quickly and is prone to ripping, tearing and fraying. 

The jeans you choose should be appropriate for your age. A 40+ man may want to wear the latest scruffy, worn dirty denim style, but will hardly look right in it. That's not to say, of course, that you have to graduate to grandpa's elastic-waisted seersucker trousers, you just may want to be a little more conservative in the style you choose. Similarly, young men shouldn't choose overly conservative styles. Go ahead and experiment with the different styles of funkier jeans that are available.

Choosing the style that's right for your body shape might mean (sorry, guys) that you have to try on a few pair. To avoid having to try on quite so many, keep in mind a few pointers. Tall, thin men may want to opt for a flared leg instead of a tapered or straight legged fit since the tapered or straight legged fits will exaggerate the height and thinness. Similarly, a shorter, stouter man will probably want to avoid flared legs and choose a more slimming straight leg.

If you lean toward the heavy side, stay away from carpenter style jeans or ones with a lot of pockets and adornments. A simpler flat front style will be much more slimming and flattering. Color is another consideration. Thinner men and men with skinny legs should choose lighter shades to give the illusion of more bulk. Heavier men should choose darker colors to create a slimmer look.

You'll find that your new jeans are amazingly versatile. Get a business casual look by pairing them with a button down shirt tucked in with a belt and even a tie and jacket if you want. Dress them down with a comfortable sweatshirt or even be ready for a night at the club by throwing on a cool vintage tee shirt. There's no end to the ways you can wear and look great in your brand new, perfect pair of jeans.

Guy Style Don't: Jorts

Those new skin-tight denim shorts that fall just above the knee and usually have a frayed cut-off look, dubbed "jorts" by one fashion reviewer... Just don't. Guys, our bodies were not built to wear skin tight pants of any kind. The one exception is Michael Phelps, but he is, well, Michael Phelps. Unless you are him, skip this fashion trend that is basically metrosexual gone way too far.

If you've seen them, odds are you've noticed them, and not for any good reason. They are the male equivalent of hip huggers or capris, neither of which were ever meant for men. If you haven't seen them, be glad.

If you've got great legs and want to show them off, opt for a more traditional pair of shorts that have an appropriately roomy fit. If you want to showcase the natural blessings in your briefs, there are better and much more subtle ways to do it than these obnoxiously constricting shorts. 

This is hopefully one of those fads that will die a quick and relatively painless death. When models who get paid to do nothing but look good can't even pull it off in something, then it's a safe bet that the rest of us should skip it.  

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Guy Skin Care

You may not want to spend a lot of time babying your face, but you darn sure don’t want to look any older than you have to. It is okay for guys to take an active interest in caring for their skin and putting their best face forward.

Grooming and skin care product manufacturers have finally caught on and have begun offering products designed specifically for men. You can find a wide variety of products these days to help you care for your skin, including complete men’s lines.

Taking care of your skin doesn’t have to be a major ordeal. The basics are cleansing and moisturizing. Keeping your face good and clean and keeping your skin properly moisturized goes a long way toward your appearance and even the health of your skin. If the idea of moisturizer makes you uncomfortable, think of it as no different than keeping your body properly hydrated when you exercise. You have to keep your skin hydrated, too. So, a good moisturizer is pretty much like a sports drink for your face.

Cleansing your face is different than keeping your body clean. The skin on your face is a little more sensitive than the rest of you. Do not use the same bar soap or body wash you use in the shower to wash your face. You need to bite the bullet and invest in either a bar soap that is specially formulated for facial cleansing or, best of all, a facial cleansing foam or gel. You can usually find a good facial cleansing foam or gel in the same part of the store where you buy your shaving supplies.

Speaking of shaving supplies, you will definitely want to check into one of the newer gel or cream shave lotions instead of the old standby shaving foam. Once you use one of the gels or cream shave lotions, you’ll never go back to plain old shaving foam. The newer ones are usually enriched with vitamin E and other minerals that soothe and protect your skin, lubricants that help avoid shaving irritation, and moisturizes. In addition to a smoother, easier shave, they provide the benefit of helping to give you healthier skin.

When it comes to moisturizing, try to choose one that feels good and doesn’t irritate your skin. You might want to experiment with a few different ones before you find the one that’s best for you. If you can find one that has SPF built in, that’s even better. Not only will SPF help prevent premature wrinkling and sun damage, but it can also reduce your risk of developing skin cancer. Whatever brand or type of moisturizer you choose, make using it a part of your daily routine so you don’t forget. You might want to do it right after you shower or brush your teeth until it becomes a habit.

Looking good and taking care of yourself isn’t just or women these days. Guys can, and should, take an interest in their appearance and not neglect their skin when it comes to their overall health. You’re not afraid to go to the gym and pump a little iron to keep your body looking its best, so don’t be afraid to check out the men’s skin care products the next time you’re picking up some razors.