How debonair fellows top it all off

Debonair men of today should be thankful for John Stetson, who took $100 he earned mining gold in Colorado, moved to Philadephia and established a hat company in 1865. The company’s sartorial statements of individuality soon topped men across America, from cowboys to presidents.

Stetson's Mercer

Eventually hats waned in popularity until, by 1970, they were no longer a staple of every man’s wardrobe. But in one of those recurring mini cycles of fashion, brimmed lids have worked their way back onto the style scene in the last several years and may be the biggest accessory in men’s fashion this season. They jazz up looks from casual to dressy, working well with a T-shirt, vest and high-water Dockers or a custom Canali suit and tie. Stetson pioneered fine men’s millinery, combining comfortable fit with quality materials, with styles such as the Mercer (pictured here, $75 at Stetson.com). So, grab yourself a straw lid this spring, snap down that brim and walk with some swagger. A fine hat demands no less.

Nails that take no prisoners

Naturally Clean by Essie

Expect your nail polish to last as long as a New York minute if you apply it to brittle nails surrounded by dry cuticles at the tips of weatherbeaten hands. The new Naturally Clean nail care system by Essie gets your mitts ready to showcase the latest, hottest lacquers with cleansing and moisturizing products that contain glycerine, eucalyptus and other essential oils and botanicals. There’s coconut oil in the wash ($14), rice bran oil in the sanitizer ($24), aloe vera in the cleanser ($24), fruit acids in the soak tablets ($24) and vitamins in the polish remover ($6). Together, the spa-quality products get hands primed for new spring colors in classic hues, including Essie’s medium-pink Status Symbol, red-hot crimson Lacquered Up and royal-blue Mesmerize. The 27-year-old brand’s new North Fork collection pays homage to blue — the new black — with aquamarine Greenport, blue-silver Sag Harbor and sky-blue Shelter Island. Polishes are $9 and, along with Naturally Clean, available at essie.com and various salons, spas and beauty stores.

Courtroom couture: How defendants can use fashion in their favor

So, you find yourself headed to court. Your appearance before a judge or jury can affect the court’s ruling, whether it’s a 15-minute hearing for speeding or a 15-day jury trial before a jury at the county courthouse for a third arrest related to possession with intent to distribute.

The evidence and your attorney’s strategy are beyond your control. But by carefully orchestrating your visual presentation, you can project honesty, integrity and self-control — characteristics that judges and juries tend to equate with innocence. Master the subtle ways your attire and grooming can send this message, and you may just sway the court to a more sympathetic ruling.

Here are some tips for proclaiming, without even opening your mouth, “I am an upstanding citizen and innocent of these scurrilous charges!” — even if you’re guilty as sin. The idea is to look like someone other than the person in your mug shot.

DISCLAIMER: Most of the following tips are obviously not applicable if you’ll be shuffling in sporting an orange jumpsuit and shackles. In those cases, all you can do is mind your manners and pray.

• Wear a suit or a serious jacket with coordinated bottoms. They should be dark, preferably navy. A pinstripe is ideal.
• For men, a dark print tie is essential. For women, a sensible white blouse is best.
• In terms of jewelry, women should wear a simple strand of pearls and pearl post earrings (faux is fine). Guys should go with an understated watch or none at all. Rings should be minimal.
• No earrings for guys, and no lip, eyebrow or tongue rings for men or women.
• Any tattoos you can’t cover with clothes, cover with makeup.
• Wear nothing that would cover any part of your face. If you have a choice, opt for contact lenses over eyeglasses. If your eyeglasses are not conservative, wear the contacts and buy conservative reading glasses to wear in court. (Recall Michael Jackson’s spectacles in his last child-molestation case, in which he was acquitted.)
• Makeup should be minimal and natural-looking. Bright red lipstick is absolutely out because it can be perceived as aggressive or sexual.
• In terms of hair, no distracting circusy color patterns. Unless locks are neatly cropped, women should wear hair up in a conservative ‘do such as a bun. Guys should be freshly trimmed with a clean-shaven face. If you’re usually bald, let your hair grow in even if it shows male pattern baldness.
• Be on time, look calm, wear a soft smile and always respond to the judge with “Yes ma’am/yes sir” or “No ma’am/no sir.”

And watch your body language. Lean forward, feet flat on the floor and hands clasped on the table, (or behind the back if standing). Between your nonverbals and style statement, the persona you project should be humble and respectful rather than rebellious, defiant or clueless.

Need help dressing yourself or a client for court? Contact us at fredricklamont@gmail.com.

Stetson: Made of America

In 1865, with $100 earned from mining for gold in Colorado, John B. Stetson headed east to Philadelphia. He bought tools, $10 worth of fur and in a small rented room created the John B. Stetson Hat Company

Stetson's Mercer

Stetson built one of America’s most well-known businesses by insisting on the best quality materials and emphasizing innovation in product development and manufacturing. Initially, the Company made hats only in the traditional European dress style, but Stetson quickly created a broader-brimmed hat with a higher crown to suit the weather conditions he had lived through as a miner. Customers recognized the utility and quality of the product and the “Hat of the West” became a wardrobe staple for many.
Throughout history, Stetson’s western hats have been worn by cowboys and U.S. Presidents alike. The dress hats were sought out by Hollywood’s leading men and women and the ladies’ line was a continuing presence in the Vogue of the 1930s and 1940s.

In addition to headwear, the Company also currently offers fragrance, western apparel, boots and eyewear. The Stetson men’s fragrance remains the top selling men’s cologne in the U.S. mass market channel and the eyewear collection holds top seller status in many retailers across the country.
The apparel and boot collections for men and women feature classic western styling, the highest quality fabrications and sophistication in fit and feel that allows the consumer to mix Stetson with high end contemporary brands in their closets.

John B. Stetson fashioned the hat that would become the symbol of American independence, individuality, integrity and strength. Today everything that carries the Stetson brand stays true to these American values: Make things right and the best they can be.

Stetson. Made of America.

« Previous Page