Posted: February 28th, 2012 | Filed under: Gifts | Comments Off
As autumn approaches, corporate convention season continues to surge forward – with cities across Australia hosting a variety of events designed to generate industry awareness and stimulate growth for individual enterprises.
Whether it is a large event held over a number of days or a smaller one-off series of presentations, this is a chance for business leaders to learn from related brands, share their own knowledge and create word of mouth about their services.
A successful convention relies significantly on making the right impression – and while an eloquent, informative speech and a comprehensive stall are hugely important, so too is a professional appearance.
If you are a manager preparing for an upcoming event, it might be a good idea to provide staff members who will be representing the company with branded promotional merchandise that clearly displays the name and logo you want people to remember.
Ties, cufflinks, business shirts and pens are among the man items you could use to advertise your brand name, with employees able to use the products themselves as well as give them away as corporate gifts to individuals who show interest in future communication.
Posted: February 28th, 2012 | Filed under: Ties | Comments Off
You might be sufficiently satisfied with the way you dress, but does your style appeal to prospective partners as much as you assume?
According to one of the people behind a new project to help guide men through the process of dressing to attract members of the opposite sex, plenty of suitors have a lot to learn.
Vince Lin is part of the Honeyplex team that recently launched Seducing With Style (SWS) – a website designed to arm men with improved knowledge about how their choice of attire can make a serious impression, no matter what happens to be on trend at the time.
"Real style stays the same, fashion changes," Lin asserted yesterday (February 27).
"If you look beyond the 'wear your dress shirt one inch longer than your suit jacket' advice, you'll start to see the underlying biological mechanisms for attraction, which none of these larger, more popular men's magazines explore."
Lin added that since style is "timeless", a man can learn to appreciate what works in a broad sense, rather than focus too intently on specific combinations favoured that season.
Fashion advice for men is abundant these days, but one thing that never changes is the fact a unique tie over a crisp shirt leads to a sharp appearance for any occasion.
Posted: February 28th, 2012 | Filed under: Ties | Comments Off
Skinny black ties were all the rage at the Allan Border Medal last night (February 27), with Australia's best male cricketers matching their partners in the fashion stakes every step of the way.
As the game's major annual awards ceremony, this exciting event hosted the sport's elite stars for a night of glamour and celebration.
Australian captain Michael Clarke emerged victorious – claiming his third medal for the best cricketer of the season in the showpiece event's 13-year history.
But while Clarke took home the big prize – and looked every bit a leader in his suit and black tie – plenty of other players made their mark with their stylish appearance alone.
Former captain Ricky Ponting, lion-hearted fast bowler Peter Siddle, dashing opening batsman David Warner and the currently injured Mitchell Johnson were just some of those to hit the red carpet in sleek black tailored ties.
The fashion of choice was far removed from the so-call 'pyjama' clothing featured in the One-Day International Tri-Series being played between Australia, India and Sri Lanka at present.
In fact, cricket fans might well have taken note of how well their idols wore a suit and be looking to add some similarly sophisticated pieces to their own wardrobes.
Posted: February 28th, 2012 | Filed under: Gifts, Social | Comments Off
The Academy Awards have always been as much about the fashion as the Oscars themselves – and it was no different in Hollywood on Sunday night (local time) as the stars of the screen lit up the red carpet in fabulous style.
A usual there was no denying the nods of amazement and whispers of disapproval surrounding the female A-list, but plenty of eyes were also focused on the well-dressed men throughout a glamorous night.
Jean Dujardin, winner of the coveted Best Actor in a Leading Role gong, gained plenty of admirers for his sharp tuxedo, while a host of other big names opted for a similar approach.
Among those to step out in classic black and white – highlighted by a selection of fine bowties – were George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Christian Bale and Bradley Cooper.
While this was clearly the outfit of choice for Hollywood's night of nights, each man managed to cut his own unique image with small difference in the detailing of the suits and accessories – such as Pitt with his feature silver shirt buttons and Tom Hanks with a white pocket square and simple lapel pin.
If you are looking for personalised gifts for a friend, you might do well to take inspiration from the some of the sophisticated attire on display to the world last night.
Posted: February 27th, 2012 | Filed under: Gifts | Comments Off
Gift giving is a common element of Easter, so why not be a little more creative with your choices this year?
Branded gifts are a great way of showing appreciation, while also being able to give something that cannot easily be found elsewhere.
Easter does not need to be about chocolate eggs and bunnies, as it can also be the perfect opportunity to show your appreciation for clients in alternative ways.
It can be the perfect time to give out promotional merchandise with an Easter theme, or to renew relations by providing business gifts at this time of year.
One of the benefits of giving presents such as these is that they can be bought online, eliminating the need to trail the shops looking for the perfect purchase.
Buying gifts online gives you the chance to think carefully about what you are buying and how much you are spending, while ensuring you have everything you need.
Delivery is also available to the workplace, so you can be rest assured that your Easter gifts will arrive on time and in the best condition possible.
Posted: February 27th, 2012 | Filed under: Gifts | Comments Off
Despite having all year to prepare, there are times when people's birthdays suddenly spring out of nowhere.
Although we would all like to have all the time in the world to select the perfect gift, this is not always possible – which is where online shopping can come in handy.
It is ideal if you are particularly time poor, as you can browse all the best presents without even having to leave your house.
One way to make a friend or family member feel extra special is to buy them a personalised gift, which cannot be bought in any high street store.
Not only will you be able to give a gift like no other, but also save yourself the hassle of heading to the shops and trawling the aisles looking for the perfect present.
Personalised gifts show that you have put some thought into your purchase, as well as avoiding the chance of buying the same present as somebody else.
There is also no shortage of gifts you can buy, meaning you will never run out of ideas the next time a birthday or other occasion appears out of the blue.
Posted: February 27th, 2012 | Filed under: Ties | Comments Off
Like it or not, there is a definite crispness to the morning air these days – and with autumn just around the corner, it might be time for a wardrobe update.
A change in seasons represents an excellent opportunity to take stock of what is in your closet – and to determine which of your favourite summer pieces can transition with you into the cooler weather.
Aussie weather is nothing if unpredictable – especially in the spring and autumn months. With the chance of bright sunshine, strong wind, heavy rain, cloudy skies or a mix of all these options, you will want to be ready for anything.
This is why layers can be an important part of an autumn wardrobe – sweaters and cardigans can be great for mornings that start off chilly before blossoming into sunny afternoons.
A unique tie is a particularly important wardrobe staple at this time of year, as this accessory can bring your whole outfit together.
Whether you choose a contrasting pop of colour – bright blue looks great with on-trend browns and yellows, for example – or opt to stay conservative with a complementary shade, you'll be ready for autumn with the right accessories.
Posted: February 27th, 2012 | Filed under: Social, Ties | Comments Off
If you are looking for inspiration for your next black-tie event, look no further than the red carpet at the 84th Academy Awards, which took place on Sunday (February 26) in Los Angeles.
While the bow tie is usually a fashion necessity at the film industry's biggest night of the year, actor Antonio Banderas made a minor break with tradition and instead opted for a sleek black necktie.
A unique tie can be a great way to stand out from the crowd – especially at an event like the Oscars – but you might want to follow Banderas' lead and opt for something subtly stylish and different, rather than a loud or overwhelming accessory.
Another option for black tie fashion is to co-ordinate your neckwear with your date's dress. Antonio Banderas' wife Melanie Griffith looked elegant on his arm in a black dress – but if your lady prefers more vibrant hues, you may have a challenge finding a store-bought tie to match.
For a special occasion, you may instead wish to opt for a custom tie ordered online. These can be crafted in a huge range of colours and styles, so you are bound to find one that is perfect for your event.
Posted: February 27th, 2012 | Filed under: Ties | Comments Off
While many actors chose to stick with the traditional white shirt and black bow tie at the 84th Academy Awards, James Cromwell hit the red carpet looking dapper in a traditional patterned necktie.
The actor, who recently had a role in the Oscar-nominated film The Artist, took to the red carpet in a striking pair of sunglasses, pairing his black suit with a charcoal-coloured shirt and a black tie.
And while most black-tie ensembles would be too formal for the workplace, Cromwell's understated approach to Hollywood fashion can be easily emulated during the usual nine to five.
If you would like to sport a unique tie to work or your next major formal event, you might want to give a customised option a try.
You can order ties online in any colour or pattern you choose – or if you'd prefer to personalise your tie with a particular image, your initials or the logo of your favourite team, you can opt for a customised one instead.
Even if you don't have a particular idea in mind, a talented design team can create blends of your favourite colours and patterns – giving you plenty of choices when it comes to unique ties.
Posted: February 24th, 2012 | Filed under: Ties | Comments Off
While there is nothing wrong with being proud of your physical appearance – including the way you dress before stepping outside – experts believe that many individuals pay too little attention to how their clothes affect them on the inside.
The evidence is clear that slim-fitting attire is very much on trend at the moment – especially for professional men when choosing shirts, trousers and vests – but there may be such a thing as taking it too far.
A Wall Street Journal health article this week (February 21) cited a research project conducted by the journal Work last year, which indicated tight shirt collars and neckties can reduce circulation to the brain and potentially lead to headaches, blurred vision or back and shoulder tension.
Repeatedly wearing tight jeans, shoes and even underwear can all result in health issues for some individuals, but for office workers the biggest concern is likely to be their corporate attire.
The message to men appears to be clear – if you favour tighter garments it is probably a good idea to order tailored ties and shirts that fit your specific body shape and will feel comfortable, as well as look great.
