Man Made DIY

The neck tie can have a big effect on whatever you're wearing. It can dress up a pair of jeans, add punch to a blazer, and generally up whatever shirt you're wearing...provided it has a collar. 

But sometimes, you wanna control the "up." There are lots occassions where your finest silk is a little overkill, or that perfectly balanced double-windsor can actually make you overdressed. In those occassions, when you need just a bit of extra style, give the just-casual-enough knit tie a shot...and while you're at it, make it yourself.    … read more

When Queens, NY-based artist Nicholas Ruiz had finished up the work for the Picasso: Guitars 1912–1914 exhibit at the Museum of Modern Art, Ruiz decided to pay tribute to the artist by creating a custom bowtie from guitar picks and super glue for the exhibit opening. 

Gin A. Ando, in the always thoughtful and reliable Primer magazine, offers, in his voice, "ten style mistakes I wish I'd learned a long time ago. He says, "Being virile young men, we are somewhat expected to be reckless in our nature. Perhaps we don’t think everything through before we do it. Or maybe we do things in excess. But if there’s something a well-dressed young man who … read more

Knowing how to present yourself for a job interview can be tricky business...in the era of startups, social media, and the ever evolving workspace, it can be hard to know what sort of work environment with which you're seeking to be involved. Underdress for a traditional business position, and you're off the list before it even starts. And the reverse - show up is a three-piece to a relaxed atmosphere, and the team will certainly wonder if you're a good fit.

This helpful graphic offers the two options you'll wanna have around, no matter what the interview. It supposes… read more

This is the year I vowed to buy no gift wrap, no ribbon, and no tape, and promised myself I'd use up the scraps from previous years, and make the rest. 

I ran out of tape yesterday, but have kept my promise so far, though I'm running low. Perhaps I'll hit the closet and check out this fascinating "furoshiki" - a gift wrap satchel.  … read more