Moisture wicking menswear isn't only for elite athletes or those in extremely hot climates. So here is how it's work and what it can do for your workout, office or hobby comfort.
Why Moisture Wicking?
According to a recent Cotton Incorporated survey, cotton blends with moisture wicking properties are on the rise pretty much across the board with major brands like Russell, Everlast, Champion and others leading the way.
It doesn't really matter if you're a hardcore gym enthusiast, weekend warrior on the golf course, or outdoors enthusiast in Arizona to see why people are prepared to pay a few bucks more. If you have experienced the unpleasant feeling of a sloppy old T-shirt soaked to the point where it clings to you all over, you know why moisture wicking clothes is a nice idea.
The use isn't restricted to sports contexts either, as many moisture wicking technologies has made their way into the professional and business casual categories as well. Premium shirts now come with the option of invisible, extra protection against unsightly wet armpits -- one monkey off your back next time you're called on to make a big presentation at work.
There's even moisture wicking underwear for further comfort. Firefighters, military personnel, utility workers in warm climates, just to mention a few examples, all benefit from drier and cooler clothes. Wet sports like kayaking, fishing, skiing and others are also prime candidates for moisture-controlled underwear.
How It Works
These clothes are designed to rapidly pull the moisture away from your skin using methods ranging from special weaving techniques to advanced nanotechnology. Either way, the result is cooler, drier and "breathing" clothes.
Microfiber, the leading moisture wicking technology, is a polyester/polyamideams mix made from a warp knitted thread. As the name implies, the thread is extremely small, which also makes the fabric very soft to the touch and tends to hold its shape over time.
Where to Buy Moisture Wicking Menswear
With the recent boom in moisture wicking menswear, practically any clothing store is bound to have at least a few items in stock. For best selection, check the upper-end stores, sports specialist or gym shops. You can also find good deals online. A Yahoo shopping or Google search will bring up dozens more.
A Word of Caution
Microfiber clothing is an artificial, petroleum-based product. That means they may emit hazardous fumes when burned, just like any other type of plastic blend.
This also means microfiber products are not biodegradable, nor are they "earth friendly" in terms of renewable resources. However, some argue that this aspect is partially offset by the resources spent, renewable and otherwise, to produce cotton and other more traditional fabrics.
Thursday, July 10, 2008
Monday, July 7, 2008
Man Fashion: SPFW 08
Looking for Beachwear Fashion? Look no way than Brazilian Fashion – São Paulo Fashion Week is even bigger with the brands that show beachwear fashion.
This season, Movimento, Cia Matítima, Blue Man, Agua de Coco and Paola Robba for Poko Pano are at the forefront of beachwear, which also has Rosa Chá (Amir Slama) presenting its first men’s collection ever.
The event that just over at the Bienal Pavilion, in Ibirapuera Park, São Paulo.
New members have migrated to São Paulo Fashion Week, like Reserva and Blue Man from Rio.
Besides newcomer Maria Garcia (branch of Huis Clos) and the comebacks Isabela Capeto, OESTUDIO, Vide Bula, Pedro Lourenço, Anabela Baldaque and Miguel Vieira, Colcci have also put on a fashion show at SPFW.
This season, Movimento, Cia Matítima, Blue Man, Agua de Coco and Paola Robba for Poko Pano are at the forefront of beachwear, which also has Rosa Chá (Amir Slama) presenting its first men’s collection ever.
The event that just over at the Bienal Pavilion, in Ibirapuera Park, São Paulo.
New members have migrated to São Paulo Fashion Week, like Reserva and Blue Man from Rio.
Besides newcomer Maria Garcia (branch of Huis Clos) and the comebacks Isabela Capeto, OESTUDIO, Vide Bula, Pedro Lourenço, Anabela Baldaque and Miguel Vieira, Colcci have also put on a fashion show at SPFW.
Thursday, July 3, 2008
Man Fashion for First Date
You never get a second chance to make a first impression. How true that old saying is. Unfortunately, many men don’t seem to care what impression they make. That, or they’re just totally oblivious to the importance of how a woman perceives you in those first moments upon meeting.
And it really is just those first few moments. Miss out on those, and you might miss the boat altogether. Don’t worry, I’m not telling you to change yourself, or change your style. I’m telling you to make a good first impression. If you can do that, the second impression can be whatever you want. (Within reason, of course.)
NO HATS
Unless you’re a teenager, or want to be equated to one, leave the baseball hats, kangos, derbies, etc at home. Not only do they detract from your appearance, they tell a woman you’re insecure. No, she probably won’t consciously be thinking that last one, but she’ll be feeling it on the inside, cos woman are naturally intuitive. People hide behind hats. Women don’t want a man who hides, they want a man who’s confident and isn’t afraid to show himself. And don’t leave me a comment telling me you wear hats all the time, and it’s unrelated to insecurity. If you wear one on a first date, it most certainly is.
NO SUNGLASSES
Eye contact is extremely important when flirting with someone you’re interested in. Covering your eyes the whole time only tells that person you have something to hide. And, as with the hats, tells them you’re insecure about something. If you’re outside, fine, wear them. But if she wants to talk to you face to face, slide them on top of your head (this tends to look pretty sexy, anyway) and look her in the eye. This tells her subconscious you value the conversation enough to make the effort, and it tells her you’re willing to focus on her. And for God’s sake, do not wear them indoors.
DRESS FOR THE OCCASION
In other words, don’t over or under-dress. If you’re just going to the movies, you don’t need to be decked out in a leisure suit. If you’re going to a Broadway show, you could stand to wear something nicer than your ratty jeans and a pair of old Chucks. No matter what, though, your date is not going to want to feel like she’s out with a slob. Nor is she going to want to feel like she’s out with the singer in a glam rock band. Dress for the occasion, because she certainly will.
SHINE YOUR SHOES
You don’t need to visit the shoe-shine boy at the local train station, but you should clean your shoes before you meet up with your date. It’s unlikely she’s going to consciously scope out your shoes, but if they’re covered in crud, she’s going to notice. Women don’t expect men to be pristine, but we do want to know you take care of yourself to some degree. If your shoes are filthy, her subconscious is going to wonder what else might be.
NO WRINKLES
You don’t have to press your t-shirts or jeans – but don’t show up in clothes that look like they’ve been sitting on your closet floor for a week. Yeah, they might be clean, but if they’re wrinkled, they don’t look it. So don’t assume that she’s going to assume they are. Even just running them through a dryer for a few minutes to get the wrinkles out is better than nothing.
You don’t have to dress like a fashion model – and most of us would be a little worried if you put too much thought into your appearance - but it would be nice if you at least cleaned yourselves up before a date!
Tags: Man Fashion, Fashion and Date, First Date, Sunglasses
And it really is just those first few moments. Miss out on those, and you might miss the boat altogether. Don’t worry, I’m not telling you to change yourself, or change your style. I’m telling you to make a good first impression. If you can do that, the second impression can be whatever you want. (Within reason, of course.)
NO HATS
Unless you’re a teenager, or want to be equated to one, leave the baseball hats, kangos, derbies, etc at home. Not only do they detract from your appearance, they tell a woman you’re insecure. No, she probably won’t consciously be thinking that last one, but she’ll be feeling it on the inside, cos woman are naturally intuitive. People hide behind hats. Women don’t want a man who hides, they want a man who’s confident and isn’t afraid to show himself. And don’t leave me a comment telling me you wear hats all the time, and it’s unrelated to insecurity. If you wear one on a first date, it most certainly is.
NO SUNGLASSES
Eye contact is extremely important when flirting with someone you’re interested in. Covering your eyes the whole time only tells that person you have something to hide. And, as with the hats, tells them you’re insecure about something. If you’re outside, fine, wear them. But if she wants to talk to you face to face, slide them on top of your head (this tends to look pretty sexy, anyway) and look her in the eye. This tells her subconscious you value the conversation enough to make the effort, and it tells her you’re willing to focus on her. And for God’s sake, do not wear them indoors.
DRESS FOR THE OCCASION
In other words, don’t over or under-dress. If you’re just going to the movies, you don’t need to be decked out in a leisure suit. If you’re going to a Broadway show, you could stand to wear something nicer than your ratty jeans and a pair of old Chucks. No matter what, though, your date is not going to want to feel like she’s out with a slob. Nor is she going to want to feel like she’s out with the singer in a glam rock band. Dress for the occasion, because she certainly will.
SHINE YOUR SHOES
You don’t need to visit the shoe-shine boy at the local train station, but you should clean your shoes before you meet up with your date. It’s unlikely she’s going to consciously scope out your shoes, but if they’re covered in crud, she’s going to notice. Women don’t expect men to be pristine, but we do want to know you take care of yourself to some degree. If your shoes are filthy, her subconscious is going to wonder what else might be.
NO WRINKLES
You don’t have to press your t-shirts or jeans – but don’t show up in clothes that look like they’ve been sitting on your closet floor for a week. Yeah, they might be clean, but if they’re wrinkled, they don’t look it. So don’t assume that she’s going to assume they are. Even just running them through a dryer for a few minutes to get the wrinkles out is better than nothing.
You don’t have to dress like a fashion model – and most of us would be a little worried if you put too much thought into your appearance - but it would be nice if you at least cleaned yourselves up before a date!
Tags: Man Fashion, Fashion and Date, First Date, Sunglasses
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