Spring is in full swing. And unless your home address contains the word “Winterfell”, this should be your cue from Madre Naturaleza for some full-on color-play. Last week, we showed you how to raise your pattern and color game in the context of shirts and ties. This week, we’ll show you how you can introduce […]
It’s completely unnecessary, yet absolutely essential. Unlike its utilitarian ancestor, the handkerchief, the modern pocket square is purely form over function. Straightforward, trim, and low-maintenance, a square fold pocket square is always an appropriate accent to a well-dressed man’s ensemble. There was a time when the square fold was the only fold for most men. […]
Learning how to tie a bow tie is not rocket science, it just takes a few tries to master. We’ll show you how.
Check out our foolproof guide to dressing up (even if you rarely get dressed up).
Skinny tie vs regular tie? Don’t worry, we’re here to explain the rule of thumb for pairing skinny tie widths with a slim fit suit.
Have you ever wished one of your favorite ties was a bow tie? Or maybe you just got a last minute invite to a black tie event…TONIGHT and (oh crap!) you don’t have a bow tie. What do you do? Do what any good style hacker would do and improvise. With a little know-how you […]
It’s not that you NEED to wear these items, but you really ought to rock them if you want to be considered stylish. Call them unneccesary. Call them the non-essential essentials. Whatever you call them, call on them when you want to step up your style.
Q: “I absolutely loved your Eldredge knot post! I’ve been looking for more unique knots like it ever since and came across something called the “Trinity Knot” which also looks really cool. Can you please have an “Ask a Black Lapel Stylist” post teaching us how to tie this one?” – Eric K. A: We’re […]
Get the skinny on how Black Lapel teamed up with artist, Sam Shuter, and accessories brand, Everett Clothing, to create a one-of-a-kind addition to any art (or tie) collection.
We’ve already introduced some classic sockless pairings in a Pinterest board as a way of staying cool while looking effortlessly stylish. Now we’ll teach you how to execute these looks while avoiding all the common downsides of going sockless including sweaty feet, odor and ruined shoes. Unless you’re one of the genetically chosen ones who […]
See photo examples of common shirt and tie combinations that work, plus rules matching all your shirts and ties.
In the dead of winter you may reach for your dark gray suits, but you don’t have to leave the bold colors in the closet. We’ll show you how to liven up your look with three of the sharpest colors of the season.
“A timepiece is the final say to any man’s outfit.” Timeless Role as a Statement Piece These days, the functional value of a wristwatch is waning with the ubiquitous use of cell phones for time-keeping. However, the aesthetic value of a watch can’t quite be replicated (yet) by an iPhone no matter how well designed. A […]
Q: “I recently added tie bars to my sparse collection of accessories in an effort to add some flair to my looks, but I’m not really sure how to wear them. Is there a rule for where on the tie you should wear a tie bar?” – Jim K. A: When it comes to accessorizing […]
After seeing your story on suspenders I went looking for some and I noticed that some suspenders make an X shape in the back, not the Y shape I was expecting. What’s the dif? – Alan B. There is one major difference between Y-back (above center) and X-back (above left) suspenders, Alan. Y-back are more […]
Finding cufflinks can be tricky, but even if you couldn’t tell a French cuff from a French maid we’re sure you’ll find your style in these.
Q: “When suiting up, should I match the color of my socks to my suit pants or shoes?” – Ken J. A: As you can see from the picture above, we’re not all too serious about matching your socks to either your pants or your shoes. If we really had to choose, we’d say match […]
Yes, men can wear bracelets too. Check out our guide on different types of bracelets for men.
Q: “I stumbled upon this image recently of a tie knot that completely blew my mind. What is this majestic thing and how do I go about tying it?” – Alex J. A: This mindblowing work of tie artistry is called the “Eldredge knot”. Its origins are uncertain (more on this later), but we do know […]
Q: “Ever since discovering custom tailored suits, I’ve warmed up to the idea of forgoing the belt. Still, I feel a little awkward wearing suit pants with empty belt loops just hanging there. What are your thoughts on not wearing a belt on suit pants with belt loops?” – George M. A: As Glenn O’Brien once […]
Matching Your Dress Socks Is Easier Than You Think The Dress Sock Game Let’s get something straight right off the bat: it’s sock season. In the summertime we show more ankle than an Amish stripper (without stinking up our shoes, we might add) but when the leaves start to fall and the temperatures do too, […]
You’re suited up and about to step out in a jacket/hat/scarf combo that don’t mess around (like one of these). It’s blisteringly cold but you don’t want to screw up your look with a thick pair of mittens that could pass for Mom’s old potholders. How can you avoid frostbite while staying style savvy? Here […]
If perfection is in the details, the belt you wear with your suit is as integral to your overall look as the pattern of your suit fabric or the shoes you choose. Still, belts are often diminished to that strap of leather meant to hold up your pants. In this short primer, we’ll explore the […]
Put on a tie made with a textured fabric, like wool or corduroy, and you’ll immediately wonder why you didn’t think of doing it sooner. We’ll excuse you if you have been locked in the smooth cell of silk tie jail for years. Most men have. We go to the store, or our favorite online […]
The rules governing men’s clothing accessories are not that complicated. Clip this here, slip this through this hole, for a touch of sprezzatura, leave this nonchalantly unbuttoned, etc. For years we’ve dutifully followed the rules and they’ve worked for us. But our styles are our own and in this world of “personal brands” isn’t it time […]
Even if you’ve never watched a horse race, let the spirit of the Triple Crown (starting with the most famous race of them all, the Kentucky Derby) inspire you to raise your weekend style this spring.
Do you need to add to your tie collection? If you order a suit from Black Lapel this November your collection can instantly get bigger…A LOT BIGGER! We’re talking thousands. Don’t worry, you won’t have to add a new wing to your studio apartment to stock all your new stuff. We’ll include a one-month gift subscription […]
Constantly on the go? Don’t let your bag bog your style down. We’ve gathered the most stylish travel bags for men to take on weekend getaways.
