The Distillery

We all want to be noticed for being the captivating, handsome, and stylish men we are in our own minds. A site called MadeMen.com, asked women what turns their heads to get a second look. It’s no surprise, the list contains clothing pieces and accessories we’ve been advocating for awhile.

1. T-shirt, jeans and blazer “Guys love to wear jeans and a T-shirt. But women love it if you show just a little more effort and throw on a blazer. A blazer makes it an actual outfit.” —Nisonja McGary, stylist who has dressed guys like Jamie Foxx and Tom Cruise

2. Bright chinos, white dress shirt, leather travel bag “Colorful chinos really add some spice to your outfit. And a great leather travel bag will definitely impress a woman.” —Molly Rose Pasman, stylist at well-known men’s outfitter

3. Leather jacket, T-shirt and jeans “A great-fitting leather jacket is a must-have. Wear it with a V-neck tee and jeans or a Henley and jeans. It’ll never go out of style.” —Toni Ferrara, stylist for guys like Matthew McConaughey and Ryan Seacrest

4. Tailored suit “Every man needs one tailored suit. It will feel as comfortable as a pair of jeans.” —McGary

5. Seriously, tailored suit “I always tell my girlfriends, the next best thing to seeing a naked man is seeing a man in a well-tailored suit.” —Ferrara

6. Tuxedo “A great-fitting tuxedo on a man, that’s super sexy.” —Ferrara

7. Eye-catching watch “We always look at watches. That’s something that gets women’s attention. It doesn’t have to be expensive, just something that stands out.” —McGary

8. Or some other wrist item “If you’re not a watch guy, then wear a leather band, a cloth band, a woven rope. Something that catches our eye and shows you’re trying a little.” —McGary

9. Hat or scarf… or both “Women are attracted to accessories. So even if you’re wearing something pretty simple, you can add a scarf or a hat, and a woman will appreciate it. One little accessory can make such a difference.” —McGary

10. Vest “Women really like vests on guys. It’s a nice alternative to the dress shirt and blazer. Don’t be afraid of it!” —Ferrara

11. Something bright and playful “When a guy thinks outside the box and wears a bright shirt or a colorful tie, we really love that. It always puts a smile on our faces.” —McGary

12. Great-fitting jeans “Guys don’t want to see girls in Mom jeans. We don’t want to see you in super baggy jeans, either. They should fit you really well. We like to see your tush.” —Ferrara

13. Clean sneakers “If you’re wearing sneakers around us, make sure they’re the nice ones, the ones you keep in a box. Save the dirty, everyday ones for your buddies.” —McGary

14. Sharp shoes or boots “Women love to buy shoes for themselves. So it makes sense they’re going to pay close attention to a guy’s shoes as well. For a lot of women, it’s the first thing they look at.” —Pasman

15. A little skin “Just like guys like to look at women’s bodies, women like to look at guys’ bodies. If you’ve worked hard on yours in the gym, show it off.” —Ferrara

Source: MadeMan.com

So you’re considering going selvedge? Here are five points to remember when searching for the perfect pair of selvedge denim.

1. Raw verses selvedge Contrary to popular belief, raw denim and selvedge are not interchangeable words. Selvedge is denim that has been woven on shuttle looms, this creates a tightly woven band running up the fabric’s edge – preventing it from fraying. Raw, is any fabric that hasn’t been distressed, washed, rinsed, or otherwise treated to make it feel soft or look artificially aged. Although most selvedge jeans are sold raw, not all of them are.

2. Go snug, not sag Selvedge will contour to your body over time. Let it work its magic by starting snug – leave just enough room to fit your pointer finger between your body and pant. Soon they will fit like a glove, and you’ll be quite comfortable.

3. Denim weight for winter and summer Denim is measured in ounces per yard, and can range from as light as eight ounces to as heavy as 32. Lightweight jeans are more comfortable during the summer, but heavier ones can last longer and give you sharper contrast fades. Midweight will get you where you want to be.

4. Show some cuff When wearing a suit, it’s great to show cuff, especially if you’re sporting a monogram or a nice pair of cufflinks. Denim is no different. Cuffing allows you to show the jeans’ distinctive line of selvedge — the pop of textured fabric can add a little extra contrast to your look. When rolling, have the cuff end just above your ankles.

5. Wash rarely, if at all You may lose the unique indigo dye when you wash. Some experts say, you should never wash, but that’s not always practical. If you’re going to wash, turn them inside out and only use cold water.

It’s officially fall. Although summer scruff was never out, some guys choose to grow facial protection for the fall winter. The question is – how much is too much? GQ put out an article this week that discusses this very topic. The basic underlying idea is balance – do what’s right for your face. Volume, your facial structure, and how you groom also play a role. Read the rundown right here.

There have been some style greats that have rocked the denim shirt. Don’t fear it. Denim shirts go great with:

1) Khakis

2) Boots

3) Contrasting color denim jeans or chinos (white or black denim)

Bob sported the denim shirt on many occasions.

Jeans fade, thus it’s not a wise idea to try and match a denim shirt specifically with the same shade of denim jeans. The jeans will likely fade faster. So you might as well pair it up with non-denim items. Those are just a few tips for how to wear a denim shirt for guys.

Some say there is no wrong way to wear certain accessories. In the case of the tie clip, there are many ways in-which you can go wrong, if you’re not careful. Here are four common tie clip mistakes and correct way to sport one.

1. Too short – This could happen with a small clip or a wide tie. You don’t want the tie clip, or bar to be barely hanging on for dear life. Give it a deeper clasp.

2. Too long – This could happen with a skinny tie. You don’t want your tie clip to overpower your tie. Find a smaller tie clip for those narrow ties.

3. Sideways – Some do this to make a statement. It doesn’t make the right one. Having symmetry in your outfit is a key difference to looking just okay, and looking on point.

4. Too high – This is a sheer sign you don’t know what you’re doing. The tie clip is not a choker or knot holder. Your tie clip has an intended purpose and that is to keep your tie with your shirt united and in place.

The Right Way to Wear a Tie Clip

Choose a clip that is about ¾ the width of your tie. You can get away with a clip that falls anywhere in the range of 1 inch the width of your tie to the actual width of it, but ¾ the width is optimal.

Often guys take two extremes when it comes cologne – none at all or too much. This is a brief guide on how to wear cologne the right way according to three leading men’s magazines/online sites.

Men’s Health cuts straight to the chase and suggestions only wearing cologne in places on your body where you feel your pulse. The beat adds impact to the scent. Another insightful tip from them – wear different scents for different seasons.

“Heat intensifies any fragrance, and scents are stronger when combined with sweat, says Bloom. That’s why an aromatic or citrus scent works in the summer; you can go heavier in the winter.”

AskMen.com has an different opinion on where to wear cologne.

“A great alternative – especially for those who have sensitive skin – is to scent your clothes. ‘A lovely way to wear fragrance is to apply it to the lining of your jacket,’ says Lyn Harris, co-founder of London perfumers Miller Harris. ‘When a gentleman takes his jacket off at a restaurant you get a wonderful waft of something tasteful and chic.’”

Now that you have a couple tips on where and how to wear cologne, a sited called Dappered.com, goes into the psychology of why you should wear cologne in a column by Beth. She suggests cologne may “impart other desirable attributes.”

“If I’m in an elevator with a well-dressed, well-groomed man and I sniff the slightest whiff of something woodsy and exotic, I immediately think, this dude is an investment banker/hosts 4th of July parties on his yacht/has an infinity pool at his vacation home in Costa Rica–i.e., a baller. Is that a dumb assumption? Yes. Should you take advantage of the dumb assumptions people make? Yes.”

We think Beth knows what she’s talking about. Pick up your choice of men’s fragrances at RYE 51.

This is the first in a series of featured brand bio for RYE 51’s blog, The Distillery. We’d like to highlight curated brands and designers we carry so you can easily see why we have included these brands in our selection, and what makes them extraordinary. Our first featured brand bio is J Brand. J Brand is a popular Los Angeles-based denim company. The company was co-founded by Jeff Rüdes in 2004, an entrepreneur with over 35 years of experience in the fashion industry. Rüdes and his other co-founders created J Brand on the premise of “creating a perfect fitting pair of denim with a classic, sophisticated, and timeless look.”  J Brand creates jeans for men and women, and are often referred to as J Brand Jeans, even though their official name does not include the word “jeans.”

J Brand Arrives on the Scene

J Brand officially launched at the Ron Herman Melrose Denim Bar in L.A. in 2005. Now they distribute their denim to premium specialty stores and luxury retailers, like RYE 51, around the the US and 25 countries worldwide. Their most famous skinny is the Houlihan Cargo Pant, named for the M*A*S*H character Hot Lips Houlihan and originally perceived as a novelty item. The novelty item ended up being a revolutionary piece as Frank Doroff, Vice Chairman of Bloomingdales department stores explained it was their “best selling pant.”

Although J Brand got their start with women’s denim, in fall 2008, a men’s line was introduced embodying modern classics with a masculine sensibility. In spring 2012, J Brand introduced a ready-to-wear collection designed to pair back to denim with luxurious contrasting fabrics while continuing the simplistic attention to detail and sensibility of the brand. J Brand continues to be an industry leader in the fashion world. The breadth of the brand includes past collaborations with such designers as: Proenza Schouler, Christopher Kane and Simone Rocha.

In 2010, J Brand collaborated with Kane, Erdem, Kirchoff, Meadham and Nicoll to launch 5 x 5, and allowed each designer to create their vision of J Brand.

They also worked with Creative Director Karl Templar and photographer Craig McDean for their 2012 – 2013 ad campaigns, and are always innovating.

Popular J Brand Jean Fabric & Fits for Men

Fabrics J Brand uses for men include: denim, stretch denim, twill, and raw. The fits J Brand has include straight (Kane), slim (Tyler), skinny (Mick), and relaxed (Cole).  You can order J Brand online at RY51.com, or pick up at pair at one of our physical stores. Keep up with the latest line and seasonal releases for J Brand on their websiteand social profiles: Twitter | Facebook | Instagram.

To look your best, you should wear sunglasses that compliment your natural facial structure. Most people have either a heart, oval, round, or square shaped face. We’ve put together this illustration to help you find the best sunglasses for your face shape.

BEST SUNGLASSES FOR A HEART SHAPED FACE

Heart-shaped faces are characterized by a broad forehead and a narrow jawline; your face shape lends naturally to prominent, striking eyes. Shades that elongate your look, even out proportions, or direct attention downward are a good fit. Light-colored frames and frames with thin temples or embellished bottoms can also help. So beef up your look with a great set of sunglasses. We recommend flashier frames to give the face a more striking appearance.

Shop the Recommended Styles:

Oliver People’s West Brown Gradient Vanalden Gold Sunglasses – Made from a combination of titanium and acetate with an utilitarian inspired temple. Adjustable silicone nose pads and silicone grips on the temple interiors provide additional comfort and function. $295

Paul Smith Semi-Matte Onyx Polarized ‘Redbury’ Sunglasses – These Paul Smith unisex sunglasses are handmade in Italy, inspired by the combination of metal and acetate and feature bold, contrasting colors. $370

KREWE du optic™ Toulouse Bone Sunglasses – Designed to express the eccentric style of its namesake, Toulouse is KREWE’s interpretation of the timeless ‘P3’ shape. Its over-sized keyhole and angular temples evoke a soulful, offbeat vibe. $165

 BEST SUNGLASSES FOR AN OVAL SHAPED FACE

You can pull off almost any look, with an oval-shaped face that is taller than it is wide. So take your time browsing for the perfect pair. Rectangular frames can balance your elongated face, upswept styles complement high cheekbones and wrap frames mean better coverage. Because when it comes to style, you’re not just a jack-of-all-trades—you’re a master of them all. Almost any frame shape will do.

Shop the Recommended Styles:

KREWE du optic™ Franklin Champagne Polarized 24K Sunglasses – Handcrafted with acetate frames, amber polarized lenses, and 24K Gold Plated Hardware. 100% UVA/UVB protection and AR coating. $245

KREWE du optic™ Matte Osaka Tortoise Polarized 24K Sunglasses – Handcrafted with acetate frames, green polarized lenses, and 24K gold plated hardware. 100% UVA/UVB protection and AR coating. $245

Oliver People’s West Gaviota Black Sunglasses – Made from a combination of titanium and acetate with an utilitarian inspired temple. Oliver People’s West ‘rising sun’ logo debossed on the temple tip. Adjustable silicone nose pads and silicone grips on the temple interiors provide additional comfort and function. $295

BEST SUNGLASSES FOR A ROUND SHAPED FACE

Generally, round faces are defined by a height and width that are roughly equivalent. To give yourself a more distinguished look, try offsetting facial contours with boxy shapes like horizontal frames, Wayfarers and rectangle shapes—they’ll give your face a more vertical appearance. And whether your plans include travel, relaxation or a formal event, you’ll be well equipped with the right pair of shades. We recommend geometric shapes to elongate facial appearance.

Shop the Recommended Styles:

Oliver People’s West Beech Matte Black Obsidian Mirror Sunglasses – Made from a combination of titanium and acetate with an utilitarian inspired temple. Adjustable silicone nose pads and silicone grips on the temple interiors provide additional comfort and function. $295

Paul Smith Navy Horn and Blue ‘Shawbury’ Sunglasses – Paul Smith unisex ‘Shawbury’ sunglasses are the quintessential example of classic with a twist, the vintage style of the Shawbury is modernized by an angular lens shape. $270

KREWE du optic™ Blonde Tortoise to Champagne Sunglasses – Handcrafted with tortoise acetate frames and amber lenses, these sunglasses have 100% UVA/UVB protection and AR coating. $175

BEST SUNGLASSES FOR A SQUARE SHAPED FACE

A square face shape is characterized by bold, distinctive features like a chiseled brow and a broad jawline that give you a clear, masculine look. Curved shades look great with square faces, so consider round shapes – like oval frames and pilots. Semi-rimless styles also help balance a prominent jaw. No matter what you have planned for the day, a pair of shades can help make your dashing looks even stronger. We recommend curvier frames to set off angular features.

Shop the Recommended Styles:

Paul Smith Semi-Matte Onyx and Mahogany ‘Wayden’ Sunglasses – Paul Smith’s unisex ‘Wayden’ shades are a quintessential Paul Smith sunglass featuring a rounded lens shape and subtle details. $270

Oliver People’s West Polarized Vanalden Gold Sunglasses – Made from a combination of titanium and acetate with an utilitarian inspired temple. Adjustable silicone nose pads and silicone grips on the temple interiors provide additional comfort and function. $295

KREWE du optic™ Franklin Blue Steel Sunglasses – Handcrafted with blue tortoise acetate frames and grey lenses, these sunglasses have 100% UVA/UVB protection and AR coating. $195

1. Miansai Black Leather and Silver Fish Hook Bracelet – A modern take on Miansai’s classic anchor with fine Italian vegetable tanned leather. $65

2. The Detailed Male Elephant Lapel Pin – A simple button pin is sometimes all that’s needed to complete your perfect look. $50

3. Rye 51 Pocket Knife – Exclusively and locally made for Rye 51, this carbon steel knife is in a genuine leather case with copper hardware. $90

4. Field Notes Pocket Book – The Field Notes Original Kraft 3-Pack was the first Field Notes memo book. It comes with 48 pages that measure 3-1/2” wide by 5-1/2” tall. The memo book is is bound with a rugged three-staple saddle-stitch process and comes with a tan cover.

5. Blackbird Pipe Bomb Cologne –  This cologne starts very quiet and takes about ten minutes for the fuse to burn down. Synthesized with the finest raw materials, Pipe Bomb moves from scent to scent within its composition, dazzling with each shift. Like an underwater firecracker bundled with incense, light saltwater notes meld with hot metal to create an inviting, warm glove that shapes differently to fit each wearer’s hand. $38

6. Imperial Fiber Pomade – Imperial’s water-based Fiber Pomade is a highly pliable texturizing product full of extra-long fibers that are more exaggerated than the average fiber grease. The result is a versatile medium hold product with custom texture fibers and a slight sheen. $22

7.Taylor of Old Bond Street Grapefruit Shaving Cream – Invigorating grapefruit shaving cream creates a uniquely smooth and creamy lather while protecting and moisturizing the skin to give a better shave. $20

8. Q Clothier Antiqued Brass Etched Cufflinks – These brass etched cufflinks are sure to give a rustic and classic touch on cuffed shirting. $95

9. Q Clothier Stainless Steel Tie Bar – A classic tie bar in modern stainless steel will add the finishing touch to your father’s dress ensemble. $45

10. Marcoliani Gray Polka Dot Socks – A comfortable pairing to summer footwear, engineered in a polka dot, pima cotton blend, to sit extremely low and to appear invisible inside your shoes. $20

11. Billykirk Tan Claw Buckle Belt – The Claw Buckle on this belt was inspired from an old rifle sling. This type of hardware is also found on leather horse harnesses. Billykirk claw buckles are cast in white bronze and feature their signature Hammer & Maul logo. $99

12. Jack Black Turbo Wash – Cleanses completely to jump-start the body, awaken the mind and leave skin feeling soft and refreshed. Rosemary and Eucalyptus help naturally support immunity by reducing bacteria on the skin’s surface. The energizing aroma helps clear nasal passages and aid breathing. Juniper Berry helps detox the body and assists in post-workout recovery. $50

13. Baxter Tortoise Shell 7.75-inch Comb – Handcrafted in Switzerland, The Baxter of California combs are produced from high quality sheets. From cutting to polishing , each comb goes through a 12-step process of manufacturing (all done by hand), resulting in smoothly tapered teeth and rounded tips for comfort and care of the hair and scalp. $18

14. Taylor of Old Bond Street Mr. Taylor After Shave Balm – A light weight formula to instantly reduce razor burn and irritation while offering a pleasant and timeless fragrance. $28

15. Robert Talbott Red Paisley Bow Tie (in-store only) – A simple paisley print leaves a smart finish to this formal attire essential. $95

16. Edward Armah Navy Two-Sided Pocket Circle (in-store only) – A handsome Italian silk pocket square in an elegant connected circle design. $75

17. Velvet Off-White T-Shirt – It’s hard to imagine a world without classic crew neck tees: they go with everything, look fantastic on everyone and they improve with age. Crafted in Velvet’s multi-washed whisper classic and cut to inmitable classic fit, this is the tee it’s impossible to have too many of. $66

18. Rye 51 Nylon Navy & Gray Belt – A versatile nylon belt, richly dyed and finished with gold hardware for added polish. $60

19. Baxter Safety Razor – This custom chrome-plated Double-Edge Safety Razor was created with serious wet shavers in mind. It helps reduce ingrown hairs and razor burn, and will last you for years to come. The blade comes packaged in a black gift box, and is accompanied with a pack of starter blades and an instructional card. $60

20. Hook + Albert Rose Gold Flower Lapel Pin – This metal push pin flower lapel pin requires no pre-cut hole.  Perfect for a night on the town or any formal event, these bad boys will work on blazers, suits or tuxedos.  $40

21. Manready Mercantile Ye Ol’ Goats Milk Soap – This may be the best soap you’ve ever tried! It’s made on a real goat farm south of Houston, Texas, and takes three weeks for each bar to cure. Manready has packed each one full of all-natural skin nourishing ingredients with no synthetic fragrances. $14

22. Rye 51 Business Card Holder – Store your business cards with class and style, handsomely crafted in textured luxurious leather exclusively for Rye 51. $75

23. Rye 51 Gift Certificate – Can’t decide what to give dad? A Rye 51 gift certificate has got your back. $100

Recently, over 100 local media moguls, friends, clients, and bourbon-lovers gathered at the Dallas Rye 51 store for one night only to experience an evening full of bourbon, barbecue, shopping, and networking. Representatives from news sources such as Dallas Morning News, Dallas Observer, male-focused online magazines such as Thrilllist,UrbanDaddy.com, as well as influential bloggers such as foodbitch, Dallas Foodie, and Crave DFW,cleared their schedules to experience this pop-up event. Why? I’ll explain.

Jennifer Smart & sister Lauren Smart, who is the Arts/Culture Editor forDallas Observer. Photo by Mason Pelt Media.

Less than a week before, Bulleit contacted us and said they wanted to bring its $150,000 luxury tailgating traveling bourbon bar from the 2012 Neiman Marcus catalog stocked full of product. Personified as “Woody,” this personality-packed wooden bar on wheels was making a nationwide tour with Dallas on the schedule.

 Steven Doyle (far right) of CraveDFW.com and friends. Photo by Mason Pelt Media.

The shindig started at 6 p.m. and officially ended around 8 p.m. To add to the scene, beats were being spun from Dallas DJ Mike Detloff.

Social Media Personalities Matt Decuir, Jean Fang, and Nelli Tokleh (repingDallasFoodNerd)

According to Bulleit rep Christina Kavanaugh, Woody had travailed many previous stops. While in the Bay Area, Woody stopped at the Google Campus, Crissy Field, an Oakland A’s game, and a San Francisco Giants game.

Q Clothier rep Maddie Morrell (right) and guest.  

According to Kavanaugh he also traveled to Southern California, Las Vegas, the Northeast, to a Broncos football tailgate in Denver, and to a Chiefs football tailgate in Kansas City before Dallas on October 8.

A side shot of “Woody”. 

After Dallas, Woody headed to Portland, Louisville, Kentucky, Austin, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, New Orleans, Chicago, St. Louis, and Tampa.

Needless to say, Woody gets around. Read more about this on Dallas Morning News‘ website, which covered the event