Style Tip #261: White Trousers

Clean.


Fresh.


Summer.




White trousers summed up in 3 words.




A lot of straight guys shy away from white trousers for fear of looking gay (why that is still used as a derogatory term, I do not know. Due respect to all homosexual friends/readers) or in local terms, like an ah beng (unfashionable Malaysian delinquent often characterized by wild dyed hair, bell bottoms and a portruding groin strut). 


When it comes to trousers, the average straight guy lives and dies on black slacks and denim jeans. White trousers are the best way to add some color to your bottom half.


As with all articles of clothing, you can pull off white trousers as long as you comply with the two golden guidelines of style: fit and coordination. And confidence. And the ability to count. 




Fit


Slim straight cut. Buy everything in slim straight cut whenever possible. It's the cut that will flatter 80% of men out there, even if you're a little on the heavy or light side. Stay away from baggy or skinny cuts unless you make a living rapping or playing in a rock band, respectively (note: as opposed to revolutionary fashion - this is a classic mens' style publication).

Oh and yeah, Elvis is dead. Get over it. 


Burn all your bell bottoms. 

Coordination

Utilize white trousers for non-formal, weekend-ish outings. Lacoste's range of polo tees go very well with white trousers, specifically less striking and more neutral colors like navy blue and deep purple. I personally wouldn't recommend going all-white. It just looks... too white. Not that being white is a bad thing. Just like how being black isn't. Or yellow. Or brown. I'm talking about colors by the way.


As for your footwear/belts, you have two options - dark brown leather or white. Again, I would prefer dark brown leather because white trousers and a white belt just makes you look wayyy too... white. On the other hand, dark brown leather lends a very nice color contrast (see above) and should be used generously. 






Happy whitifying, gentlemen!

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How to Have 'Stage Presence'

He enters the room.

All eyes are upon him. 

He walks towards you.

Everybody follows his every move.

He shakes your hand and gently smiles.

Everybody smiles back at the natural charisma overflowing from the depths of his soul.

"Stage Presence"

Believe it or not, you can be that man. 

Sure, some of you might say, "But I'm not good looking... or fit... or tall... or smart enough"

But what if I told you that you can possess the above "stage presence" with just three simple adjustments to the way you first appear in front of a crowd?

1. Smile. Slightly.

Wherever you go, whatever you do - wear a slight smile.

A consistent slight smile indicates to your surroundings that you are extremely self assured. Extremely confident. Extremely in control.

You can opt to walk around with a full toothy smile... if you want everyone to think you've just had sex.

But no, seriously, save the full toothy smile for situations that truly deserve a full toothy smile - e.g. meeting an old friend, when your conversation partner is telling a great joke, etc. Overusing the toothy smile runs you the risk of looking like Eddie Murphy. A plastic Eddie Murphy. 

2. Maintain Erect-ness.

I'm sure none of you had any inappropriate sexual thoughts at the mention of the word "erect" so I will not address that. Of course you're aware that I was referring to posture. 

Posture is arguably the most vital component of confidence. You must remain erect at all times. To ascertain your correct degree of erection, stand with your back flat against a wall - the only parts of your body that should be touching the wall are your head and your bum. Now that's your perfect posture. Don't worry, you don't look stuck up. If anything, you're just looking like an erect, sexy beast.

Now for the next 4 weeks, make an effort to be conscious of maintaining this posture (leaning against walls in public places to reset your posture, if necessary) and in no time, you'll be walking around fully erect like Rocco Siffredi.  

3. Pause at the doorway.

Now this is a Broadway industry secret. When an actor enters the stage for the first time, he appears into public view and then... pauses. Taking his time... surveying his surroundings, sizing up the crowd... he pauses... and then proceeds to make his grand entrance. 

  

This nifty move can up your ante from a "nice, pleasant man" to Broadway superstar. In fact, employing this simple doorway entrance method is probably the most dramatic yet socially acceptable way of subtly informing a whole room of your presence solely through the use of body language.  

Now here's how to pull it off:

• Enter the room.
• Pause at the entrance/doorway, employing a subtle power stance (legs slightly apart, hands by your side)
• Take your time to look around the room and size up your surroundings. Make slight eye contact with random people if possible. Maintain your slight smile. At this point, a lot of people may be looking at you and subconsciously wondering if you own the place. 
• After soaking in the bask of glory, proceed.

Now this four step procedure may have more than half of you balking/laughing in amusement - but if executed to perfection, will have people thinking "I don't know what it is about this guy... but he's got STAGE PRESENCE!". 

Lastly, remember - be deliberate in every move you make. Don't rush anything. Truly confident people don't feel the need to quickly escape the public view. They know they're putting on a show for the masses, and they love it.

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Surviving an LDR aka. Long Distance Relationship

LDR what?

Here's an acronym worth knowing, as essential as the ever-saving LBD. Lil' Black Dress if you were wondering.

The Kardashians in LBDs

So. It's the LDR, also known as the dreaded Long Distance Relationship.

You fall in love with an amazing girl, with the thought that she'll never leave your side.

Well, she does and- BAM! You're saying your stiffly sniffles, waving goodbye and assuring her (and yourself) a little distance won't hurt.

Welcome to the LDR Club.

You're officially in a 'Long Distance Relationship'.

Cringing at the thought?

Considered one of the worst types of relationships as the distance may not necessarily make the heart fonder, but in fact yonder far...and beyond, thank your lucky stars you're not in one.

But if you are and still going strong, well I say brownie points and may you survive the distance and time until you are finally together (literally).

Luckily for you, I've got some effective advice for surviving a Long Distance Relationship.

1. It's HARD work, so it needs EXTRA effort

Not nobody, but everybody has had something to say before you embarked on one of the hardest journeys ever: Keeping your relationship with that girl who is a 2 hour flight away from you or even worse, in a -8 hour timezone.

Have free text and minutes? Use it on your relationship.

No such luxury?

Make use of Skype, Oovoo (up to 6 people can video talk at once) or even Facetime through your swanky new iPhone 4s while shopping for groceries at downtown Tesco because you are missing that pasta dish she makes so well and recreating it will make you feel thaat much closer to her.

Facetime on the iPhone

Committed men tend to handle LDRs better (in my experience), but well, you know women.

Nag, nag, nag.

Whine, whine, whine.

Cry, cry, cry.

Dudeee. But you're still there for her because this distance hubba is just temporary and you really, really do love her.

Women in an LDR hate feeling insecure so any decreased activity in affection will result in an atomic bomb blowing up over the phone. Or even that dreaded text: I hate you I never want to talk to you again!

LDRs need even harder work and it tests the capability of the both of you whether you can weather the storm (of a couple of months, or even years).

Question is, can you take the extra mile?

I've witnessed quite a number of failed LDRs, and it's saddening to see how one just stops working on the relationship.

Love gives life, and life keeps you living. When love diminishes, it just brings death.

It's a fact. Heartbreak is painful.

I always say: A relationship shouldn't be a one-way road. Give and take.

That's how some LDRs are able to work. Each partner gives love, and both receives love. It's a win-win beneficial relationship which then grows and strengthens your bond.

2. Be Understanding

He's in a different time zone. She's working a night shift.

Don't give your partner beef because she wasn't on Skype at the promised time.

Creating fights when you are not in close proximity takes a longer time to heal so try not to get upset over trivial issues.

3. Communicate Daily

Here's one of the best advice on keeping a relationship strong. Long distance or not. You have to communicate with one another EVERY, SINGLE day (if you can).

Bollocks about "we're cool, we can just Skype over the weekend" crap. Events happen so quickly, especially if you're both busy that weekend chats will pass by in a blur.

You don't want to wait until the weekend to share your thoughts, experiences, etc. You might even forget the urgent issues and further widen the communication gap between you two.

Too tired? Text your lover goodnight, sending instructions where to meet you in your dreams. At least when your partner reaches home he'll be able to sleep with a smile on his face, knowing that you love him.

Communication builds a strong foundation of understanding, and you become more emphatic towards what your partner is experiencing in her part of the world.

4. Don't Stray

With or without an LDR. It's a no-no rule in the relationship bible.

Straying just because that chick was more convenient (right there to talk to, etc) is wrong.

Before you undress her with your eyes (and soon enough, fingers), imagine how YOU would feel if your girlfriend back home a thousand miles away happens to be doing the same exact act to a man who isn't you. Also, one who is possibly hotter, funnier & smarter than you?

Like shit, right?

So just don't do it. It's not worth losing your relationship.

5. Set Future Goals

A long distance relationship should always have an expiry date, so the both of you can expect when this long and tedious long distance relationship will end.

Remember. Internally, women have biological clocks and whether or not it has kicked in, if you can't give a definite answer when you are coming back chances are she might be looking elsewhere later on to not waste her time on you.

6. Keep the Spark ALIVE!

Long distance relationships are a breeding ground for inactivity and boredom, so relight that spark or keep it going on by being creative.

Surprise her with a visit, plan trips together, send her a handwritten love letter (e-mails just don't cut it, sorry. Letters have that 'raw' edge and really, when was the last time you received a personal love letter other than bills?), and loads more!

There are so many creative and cool ideas you can muster up (or source online) and present to your woman.

Even if some are downright lame, she'll applaud your initiative and this will earn you brownie points redeemable when you next see her... Now boys, wouldn't you want that? ;)

I hope that helped!

P.S: If you're asking if it's worth it being in a Long Distance Relationship... Well, if you can imagine yourself with that beautiful person in the future and it feels right, then by all means, follow your instinct!

Oh, and a Happy Rabbit Year to all!

- Saran

xx

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