What does "Dressed to the Nines" mean?

We all have heard the term "dressed to the nines" which refers to someone that is immaculately dressed. Well, this is actually a very old phrase which comes from the 1800's military era.

When suits were made for military men, master tailors would use more than enough fabric to create a top notch suit. Although a gentleman's suit could easily be made with 5-6 yards of fabric, the tailors would use a full  "9 yards" of fabric to get a rich finished look. This is where we get the phrase "dressed to the nines." Over time, the phrase began to be used when referring to someone that is dress extremely well, even if their attire is not made with a complete nine yards of fabric.

Ferrera Fresh Tip: In a Life with Style, always dress to the nines! And now you know why...

Yours truly,

Michael Ferrera
www.michaelferrera.com

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

MENSWEAR FALL FASHION TRENDS 2010

Ferrera Fresh Tip: Just because it's "in style" doesn't mean it's your style! Stay true to your style by picking and choosing which fashion trends to wear this season...

It's in! After the season's showings at MAGIC, MRket and a tons of other fashion shows this Summer in Las Vegas we now know the items and trends that will be in the stores and boutiques for Autumn/Winter 2010. To save you time on looking into countless magazines, watching senseless sitcoms & movies to find the latest fashion trends, just stay close to "Life...With Style" by Michael Ferrera and we'll keep you covered.

Recently GQ online posted over 200 snapshots of the top trends in male fashion for the upcoming 2010 Fall season. Many of which were seen at MAGIC, Project, Pool, and MRket trade shows in August '10 by yours truly. A full view of the shots are below for you to look at, grab ideas, or take tips when you're ready but here's the "Ferrera Fresh" rundown of the notable trends to consider or not consider

1. For your suits gents, the slimmer suit lapel is still holding its ground as one of the looks to go for when choosing your suits.

2. The plaid neckties are still in as well. Not really the coolest thing to be wearing now since everyone is doing it, but nonetheless it's still a popular trend. Try not to wear this look more than twice a month.

3. Surprisingly the boat shoe that we talked about (in this post here) is continuing to be worn in the fall! Now it is like a mid-high boot style boat shoe in navy, green or tan that's worn dressed casual with tailored jeans and a blazer. A very cool look try it!

 
4. Flannel! Oooh, yes, I like! From full over coats, to simple blazers, ties, socks and other accessories, flannel is definitely a Fall trend 2010 to be used in your wardrobe this Fall gents.

5. Lace-up boots are another notable mention and I'm not complete with this look. It's cool for some gents but it looks very ol'-school-vintage-military. Not the coolest look if a girl will think you're leaving for the military next week.

6. The toggle coat is in and is Certified "Ferrera Fresh!" Although we may not get that cold on the west coast, it is for sure a piece for east coast gents to have and others to travel with.

7. Whoaaa! Graphic knit sweaters are in? Didn't see too much of this coming for the season. It looks kind of 'kid-ish' for a grown man to be wearing in 2010 but if you do wear this just wear confidence. I may try a few out and let you all know the response from the ladies.

8. The plaid suit or what GQ calls: shadow plaid....(Whatever) It's cool, try it! I have a nice amount of these styles in the Michael Ferrera Collection this season as well. It's Hot!

Other notables are wide knit scarves, beanies, leather gloves and oh leather wristbands on watches rather than metal links among the other usual accessories for the Fall season. Take a look at the picture and choose what looks you like and remember just because it's 'in' doesn't mean you have to do it. That's a "Life...With Style"

Yours truly,
Michael Ferrera

Check the article HERE

HINT: If you click the print button on the slide show you can see all the pics by scrolling down 

rather than clicking the next button hundreds of time!

Here's the Looks!

Beauty Come Forth feat. Michael Ferrera

On the October issue of Beauty Come Forth magazine marking the magazine's one year anniversary, designer Michael Ferrera was selected as the wardrobe consultant for the magazines front cover!

After learning more about the magazine and meeting with Myra Wallace the Beauty Come Forth magazine Founder/Publisher/CEO, Mr. Ferrera had the perfect idea for the wardrobe that would make the anniversary issue complete! When talking with Mr. Ferrera about his styling ideas for the October issue he said,  

"...The first thing that I thought of when asked to consult for the cover was, we had to make Myra the star of the issue!...I mean it's a valuable magazine, that she created, and she is worthy of the shine on the anniversary issue...So I considered colors in the male suits that would of course fit the fall season (October) and used some bright iridescent colors in the neckties for the gents to accent Myra's dress in celebration of the magazine's anniversary...I had a great time working with the BCF team and look forward to working with them again in the future."

After getting past the excitement of the anniversary issue and the handsome men on the cover in Michael Ferrera custom clothing, I did have a chance to read the issue by clicking on the page links above, to the right and left of the cover and found some very insightful information. Some topics on fashion & style, fitness & health, finance, and relationship are a few that stood out, which you may enjoy as well!

So when you have a moment take a look at Michael Ferrera Custom Clothing on the cover of the October anniversary issue of Beauty Come Forth magazine, as it is sure to fit your "Life...With Style!"

PR for
Michael Ferrera

Photography by Davide Stennett

Dress Like Your Age

Ferrera Fresh Tip: All the information you receive may not always be directly intended for you, but for you to share with other people! Always share good information with other people...

Wow, in doing research and always advancing knowledge on style, fashion, etiquette, chivalry or just simple greatness, I stumble upon a great article at AskMen.com titled: Dress Your Age 30s! After a short chuckle the article was read and in fact there is some good information for the gentleman that is at the crossroads of "Am I still cool or now a corporate professional?"

This article at AskMen.com gives some good insight on simple ways for the gentleman advancing in his life and career to also advance his style. This is for the gent that doesn't need to bar hop every weekend with the boys, is probably someones boss in the office and reads a good book every so often. Although all of us may not need the tips, grab some of them and share the information with someone else in a subtle way. You can do this by posting a link on your own Facebook wall or ReTweeting it to your Twitter followers, you might be helping someone, try it.

Nonetheless, check the article and as said before in a Ferrera Fresh Tip: ...never compromise your cool for the corporate world, combine the two and keep it "corporate-cool," that's Life...With Style!

Yours truly,
Michael Ferrera

Michael Ferrera Featured

Michael Ferrera was recently featured on Sonic Eclectic in an article titled The Next Fashion Giant! 

Sonic Eclectic is an online column with international interest in fashion, music festivals, television and film production. 

In an interview with Ay Rushing, Michael Ferrera shares a bit of his fashion style, the beginnings of Michael Ferrera Custom Clothing, and the expansion we are now seeing with the company!

The article is a nice inspirational read that will give you a bit more insight about Michael Ferrera that will make you say "I didn't know that," yet still leave you with a pleasing smile when you are finished!

Take a look at the article by Ay Rushing at Sonic Eclectic and as always, in the words of Michael Ferrera: "Stay Fresh!"

Yours truly,

PR for 

Michael Ferrera 

Suit Check

Men's garments or the items we wear do not change as much as fashion items for women. However, there are times when things become more popular or 'in style" for men at one time or another.

As I have said before in the "Life...With Style" blog: Stay true to your style and self... just because its "in" doesn't mean you need to wear it. But, as a gentleman you should take note and add pieces, items, a trends to your wardrobe that you like to enhance your style!

Many of us have seen in the series Mad Men and how they have encouraged men to take another look at their suit game and re-up their image. It almost shows that it's cool to wear a suit! Some of the trends are things like: ditching the pleats and going with flat front pants. Two or one button suits have become more popular. A slimmer cut trouser and jacket to name a few notable characteristics of gentleman's style.

Just remember to take note gents, and ladies who help dress them! It's always important for a gentleman to know what's up and be at the top of his game in a "Life...With Style!"

Yours Truly,
Michael Ferrera