Light Gray is The Gray

After Returning from the MAGIC fashion this season, visiting seminars, booths and textile companies, there a few colors that are going to make a big impact the the upcoming 2011 Spring and seasons to come. One of those colors is Light Gray! Different from what we have seen in the past few seasons, of the darker charcoal color gray, the gray we now see from the major textile manufactures and style houses has a blast of white in it making it very light. Take a look at some of the shades of gray we will see in the up coming seasons.

Yours truly,
Michael Ferrera

How to Choose A Collar Spread

Dress shirt Fashion & dress shirt Style are not one in the same. You may have seen in a recent Ferrera Fresh Tip: Fashion is what you wear, Style is how you wear it!

I've recently been getting a ton of emails on shirt styles. What type to wear? What collar styles to choose? Whats "in"? Among others.

This timeless question will always remain but the most important thing when choosing shirts off-the-rack or custom made is a good fit. Find a brand that fits your body type and stick with it. The new hot brand won't work for you if it doesn't design to your body type. Remember that just as your suits can be tailored to your body, so can your dress shirts. Take your over sized, box shaped dress shirts to a good tailor that can have them cut and shaped to your body. The shirt will feel better and not look like you're just wearing a puffy pillow case with a collar on it. Try tailoring your shirts, it works!

When choosing collar styles for men's dress shirts, rather than going with whats "in", use the collar to compliment the shape of your face and body type. The wider spread collar has recently become more popular at the time of this print, but it doesn't work for every guy. For slim gentleman it may be better to go with a wider spread collar. This allows your shoulders and face to look a bit broader, giving a nice even appearance to your slim body. Just the opposite, for larger gentleman a medium spread or more narrow spread collar may be a better fit. It allows for a more narrow sharp image in round shoulders and facial features. When in doubt on what to choose its best to ask a professional for tips or go with a medium spread collar which is about 3'' apart from point-to-point. (See image to the right)

As for style of shirt such as french cuffs, plaids or stripes we'll save that for another post. But choose your fit and collar styles wisely to compliment your "Life...With Style!"

Yours truly,
Michael Ferrera

For specific questions send them to ask@MichaelFerrera.com
or connect on Twitter @MichaelFerrera

some images from www.raresplendors.com

How to Wash Dress Shirts: Cleaners or Laundry

Ferrera Fresh Tip: You invest in your dress shirts, so invest in taking care of them as well...

Since we all have busy schedules, many of us love the convenience of dropping clothes off at the local cleaners to be washed, dried and pressed! Then we pick them up or have them delivered in a day, or even a few hours. Convenient for gentlemen and ladies a like!

A client asked, after receiving his first order of Michael Ferrera custom shirts, "How should I wash and take care on my shirts?" That question prompted a blog! As a wardrobe consultant and fabric connoisseur, as you've read in the post Care for my Sheep,  I will share one of the best ways that will make your dress shirts, last longer & look better!

I start by saying that taking your shirts to the cleaners is not completely wrong. In fact, the convenience of having someone do your laundry for you is almost priceless! However, when washing dress shirts, try to wash & dry them at home and then take them to the cleaners just to be professionally pressed. The advantages of doing this are:

1. You control the chemicals or detergent that goes on your dress shirts! The chemicals and washes that the cleaners uses are extremely powerful and can be more harmful to cotton. By washing dress shirts at home will allow your dress shirts to last longer because of using a more delicate detergent.

2. You control 'how' your clothes are washed! In your machine at home you can choose a normal or delicate cycle and adjust accordingly to your liking. Most of the time a normal cycle is fine for home machines, but at the cleaners only uses one cycle for all clothes washed at the same time, which can be harmful to your fancy cotton dress shirts.

3. You control the drying as well! Just as when washing, drying at the cleaners is done in bunches. At home you control how your clothes are dried and can even choose to air dry which will also cause less shrinkage over time.

4. Your clothes don't have that awkward cleaners smell! You know what I'm taking about. The smell that doesn't really smell like laundry. Yes, your clothes look clean but imagine the types of chemicals they used to get them that way, which gives off that awkward cleaners smell.

5. You could save time! If your cleaners does all work on site, which is a good thing, the longest part is the washing and drying. When your shirts are already washed and dry you can sometimes drop in with your shirts and simply wait for 10 or so minutes at a local shopping center while your shirts a being professionally pressed!

Now that you've considered these things on how to wash dress shirts, apply the tips and see if you like. Your dress shirts will look better, smell better, feel softer, and last longer, which so appropriate when living your "Life...With Style!"

Yours truly,
Michael Ferrera

Top 5 Ferrera Fresh Father's Day Gifts

As Father's day soon approaches, some have procrastinated on gift purchases and wondering what to buy. Yeah, we all know that neckties are the last minute resort and can always work, but think about the countless ties dad has already received as gifts. Here are some good idea to kick your Father's Day gift giving up a notch from the "Ferrera Fresh" mind of Michael Ferrera. Lets start with number 5...

5. Toys! (i.e. Technology) - Why? Because most guys have always loved toys, so as we get older toys don't get lost, they just get a bit more expensive! With the iPad often sold out, the release of the first ever 4G phone in the HTC Evo, and the soon to be released the 4th generation iPhone try to get your hands on one of these gifts and dad will be in for a treat! If not, gift certificates for these gadgets are great ideas as well!

4. Custom Photo and Frame - Why? Because if you're a daddy's girl or one of dad's many boys, father's take great pride in their children, young or old. If you can find a memorable photo of you and dad, try having it blown up and mounted into a custom fame or canvas wrapped. With technology these days you can have it in a few days or even hours and can possibly have names engraved on the frame! Try Aaron Brothers locations for this item.

3. Custom Shirt Gift Certificate - Why? Because if he already wears custom shirts he'll love it, and if he's never had a custom shirt he'll love it! The personal fitting, monogram, and experience of a custom shirt will make dad feel like the important man he is. Of course it would be our pleasure to provide the certificate by visiting MichaelFerrera.com, but if you're outside of California please give us a call and we can direct you to some other fine clothiers.

2. Personalized Jewelry Cuff Links - Why? Because they are just flat out cool! Cuff links hold their our prestige, but when they are personalized with dad's initials, his chest will poke out a little more with swagger. Even if he's over 50 and doesn't know what "swagger" means! Or better yet, think about adding your name on the cuff links if your his daughter. Try Neiman Marcus for these.

1. Customized Ink Pen - Why? Because when dad has on that beautiful tie, power suit, and that sleek watch, it's only appropriate for him to reach in the coat pocket for a personalized pen with his name on it! Try the pen out in store to make sure it writes smoothly and your set. Try Things Remembered for this item.

The main thing you may notice in "Life...With Style" is to make it personal! Dad will feel like you took the time to think of him and that he is important, which he is!

Yours truly,
Michael Ferrera

Are Custom Suits Really That Expensive?

Some have fantasized about the day to put on a suit that fits like a dream. The coat lapel lays perfectly on your chest and wraps precisely around your collar. The matching slacks to the suit don't even need a belt because they fit perfectly to your waste and hips. And, to top it off the slacks land perfectly above your shoe line. Sounds amazing right? Yet some still cringe to fit the bill for a suit of this caliber, but why?

Recently, I had a chance to met a gentleman that complimented me on my attire and then asked "what is it that you do, that you dress so dapper?" I shared with him that, "I teach people how to dress to attract more revenue to their business." His response "Ahhh, and how do you do that?" The short response was "...and I design custom made clothes to create individual styles."

The gentleman was at least 60 plus years of age and no longer wears suits often but he began to share with me his great experience he has had with custom clothes. In his wonderful short story he stated "....I remember one particular custom suit I bought in 1987 that I still occasionally put on to this day." (2010) His story put a great smile on my face, even though it was not surprising. It sparked me to share how inexpensive and extremely enjoyable the custom suit experience can be!

Think about, lets say this gentleman bought his suit in 1987 at a mid-range custom suit price, of what some feel is expensive, at ummm... $1,300 (could be more or less). Again relatively mid-ranged price for a very nice European wool, well tailored to his style, you know, all the trimming. Now, knowing that a rich navy blue 2 button suit, for example, never really goes out of "style", this gentleman did not have to invest in a similar suit for more than 23 years!

Hmmm, on the contrary others may want the quick fix or addition to the wardrobe of the oh-so-common $300 suit, but will have to replenish the suit sooner because of wear and tear! Lets give this common suit, with regular wear, a life span of 2.5 to 3 years to look good, which at this point a new suit would need to be purchased. (You do the math [cough, cough] $2,700 something) Over that same time period that gent with the "inexpensive" suit would have spent more than the gentleman who invested in the so called "expensive" custom suit. Not to mention the time spent

looking for a suit, going to the tailor and so forth.

Please know that there is nothing wrong with the $300 suit or a suit that is feasible at the current time! As I've said before "you don't need custom clothes to look good, but it sure is an enhancement, a reward, and you're worth it!" In addition, in today's era you sure can find some custom clothing shops that start custom suiting under 500 to 600 dollars. Yes, there are some give and takes you may sacrifice among features, but it's still custom.

So, are custom suits really that expensive? Not in a "Life With Style," but you be the judge...

Yours truly

Michael Ferrera

(Another Wardrobe Article)

(Click Here)

Beachside Wedding Attire

Ever been invited to a wedding and wonder what you're going to wear? Then to top it off you get invited to a beach side wedding so now you have to worry about sand, wind, sun and all the trimming of a beach while having stylish attire for a wedding. So what do you do?

This week we address this issue for both ladies & gent at Fabulously Ever After .com. A wedding & event planning company located in Los Angeles, California. In the post you will find beach side wedding tips on what shoes to wear, accessories to add and of course how to keep your cool!

Check it out at FabulouslyEverAfter.com and while you're there browse around and some of their other stuff.

They're absolutely fabulous!

Yours truly,
Michael Ferrera

Ferrera Fresh Fitness Travel Tips

How easily a workout plan can be thrown off guard!

Above finding the right workout, the right fitness trainer, and eating plan the most important part of a fitness plan is to stick with it! Yet with the business of life, we all have times we're traveling for business (or leisure) and the overload of sponsored dinners, lunch on the go and quick snacks can thrown a fitness plan for a loop. Our bodies can get use to workout habits and the gym at a set time, so what do we do in our life with style?

1. Use the hotel gym! Yes, most resort style hotels have a fitness center many times free or sometimes half to cost of your at home gym member ship, which is why we hesitate to pay for it. But sometimes we don't have time for fitness while out of town and not to mention that some of the "gyms" are not too good, so...

2. Use the Ferrera Fresh "I-got-10-minutes-to-MAiNtain"! - What this is, is simple fitness exercises you can do in your hotel room so that your body and mind can stay active even in a short period of time, just to keep the fitness habit. By trying a push-up and sit-up routine before hopping in the shower can get your heart pumping and body muscles working. Go for 100 of each or 10 different exercises for 1 minute each. Stretching is good to add before and after your workout too, or...

3. Use the pool! - Many ladies just like to lay around the pool in a cute swimsuit and a book, but you can use it for fitness, which is a good workout. Just before the pool will close, or early in the morning, do a few swim strokes for about 10-15 mins. The reason this is good is that (one) most of us do not swim everyday, so a short actual swim session will use body parts we do not use often giving you a full body workout. (Two) allows you to hold breath causing an unknown breathing exercise by making your lungs work harder and (three) swimming allows your heart rate to get up quickly with an uncommon activity.

So keep it fresh, "Ferrera Fresh" that is and even when you're traveling in style, you can still live a fit "Life...With Style!" Hint: this works for ladies too.

Also see Men's Health for a great article on other tips for fitness & travel!

Yours Truly,
Michael Ferrera
via Orlando, FL

Male Grooming

Over the past 2 or so years we've seen a drastic shift in males putting more care into grooming themselves. With the consistent influx of GQ, Esquire and of course lady mag's stressing the importance of a well groomed man; gents have considered haircuts more often, MAN-manicure, and even MASK-uline facials. However in the April '10 issue of GQ we see an article asking, "has male grooming gone too far?" Among the male eyebrow waxing, and pedicures by men we see some gents go the complete opposite. It even features photos of lady hunk Brad Pitt and football star Randy Moss rocking full rugged beards with not much grooming, to say the least, in a interesting humorous read. (Take a look when you can)

It definitely made me think is a life with style what magazines, movie stars, televisions shows and blogs tell us? Not at all! A "Life...With Style" is what you choose, in your style! It's what makes you unique and individual, which is the reason why "Life...With Style" by Michael Ferrera was created. To encourage you with stylish ideas to enhance your current lifestyle. Yes, blogs & GQ style magazines can give you helpful tips, advice and ideas. But when all the reading, watching, and reviewing is done, it's up to you to choose what you like, what to tweak into making it your own life with style!

So if Man-manicures, pedicures and facial are your thing, hey, do it! If not, pay no attention it cost you nothing...(maybe.) Yes, pampering oneself feels great but we also know that women still want a man in their gentleMAN. Fresh haircuts, shaves, and so on are always nice complements, but whatever you choose, choose to be confident in your "Life...With Style"

Ferrera Fresh Tip: Be you, do you, there's no one else better for you to be...

Yours truly,
Michael Ferrera

Tie Care

The male necktie! The daily office jewelry for our neck as men. The necktie is to a man, what the everyday necklace is to a woman...

Neckties come "a dime a dozen" and can be expensive or cheap. Either way, don't you hate when you spill food or something on your necktie? The best way to avoid this is simply eating more carefully not to spill. But if it does happen, does that mean the tie is ruined? Can you clean it? How? All of these questions occur even when the smallest spill gets on the necktie, expensive one or not. So let me share with you a few tips on caring for your ties!

Addressing the most popular question first, can you clean a silk necktie? The answer is, yes! The best thing to do is clean it a soon as possible. Even if you're at the table, take a napkin and whip it off immediately so that it does not set into the silk. The tricks you've heard about using club soda and stuff like that do not work, so don't do it! That may work for cotton but does not work for silk. You will only cause more damage to your tie. The better option is to simply use a little warm water. "Little" meaning a fingertip amount of water, just enough to clean the spot that is on your tie. You will not damage your tie. When done, just let it air dry and you'll be fine.

Here are some other quick "tie tips" that are often over looked, but can be very useful in caring for your ties:

1. Un-make your tie! Rather than just pulling the small end out of the knot when taking off your tie, undo your tie in the reverse motion of which you tied it. This allows for the small threads and silks not to be stressed out or torn fast over time.

2. Roll your ties up! Many of us hang our ties up when done, but it is actually better to roll your ties up until the next time. When your ties hang for a long time, the weight of the tie lining can weigh your tie down, causing it not to look as crisp after hanging for a while. Yes, you can hang your ties, but rolling them is better.

3. Keep ties in the dark! Most ties are kept in the closet which is great so that the silk is not in the direction of the sun or strong light. If you do have a light in your closet, make sure the ties are not near or directly under it. By ties being in dark and cool areas will allow the silk to keep it's rich color and softness.

There you have it gents, and ladies caring for their man! Care for your ties, they are a great complement to your fashionable "Life...With Style!"

Yours truly,
Michael Ferrera

A Fit Lifestyle

Earlier this year "Life With Style" by Michael Ferrera encouraged you to stay focused, and disciplined in your workout goals this year in our blog post Why wait? Start now and New Year, New Image.

As we start the second quarter of the year it might be time to kick the workout up a notch! If you haven't be as consistent as you want make sure to revisit your goals (yes your fitness goals should be on paper) and find little ways you can get back on track and stay focused. You still have time before beach season.

For you who has been on track with your fitness program, nice work! Your style and wardrobe will appreciate your fitness habits, keep it up. In a recent article by Men's Health I read about ways to enhance your workout and Overcoming Exercise Excuses. We've heard them all: "I look fine," "my body needs rest," "It's raining," "I'm bored" and the list of excuses goes on. Get over it! By planning your fitness activities, it can help your habits and improve your overall image. Take a look the MH article for quick reminders and tips that will encourage you in living a "fit" Life...With Style!

Yours truly,
Michael Ferrera

Ferrera Fresh Tip: Get your fitness workout in! Not only does it make you look good & feel good but it's simply SEXY...