hot, hairy, MEN!

it would not be fair if we only showcase retro frocks for the ladies and leave the men out of the picture. since The Online Edition is all about seeking balance between the genders (yah, right! who am i kidding?) here's a post for by a man, for the rest of the gentlemen. this post shall feature a few vintage hair looks for the men!

image from fellow blogger

most modern hairstyles tend to lean toward spikes and a messy appearance. however, there are several popular retro hairstyles for men that have either never lost their popularity or are making a comeback. several of these styles are able to evoke a sense of nostalgia and transport one to a past era. however, choosing the right look depends a great deal on the type of hair one has.

1) the afro

those who have thick, curly hair may choose to blow dry it to get it to stand out from the head. with a little bit of shaping, this can be turned into a look very similar to the afro worn by men in the 1970s. the longer they let their hair grow, the thicker the style will be.

2) the mop top

men with fine, straight hair can go with a style similar to that worn by the beatles in the late 1960s. commonly referred to as a 'mop top', this is a form of shag style. the back is cut in a straight line across at a level even with the chin. the bangs are cut straight across the forehead just above the brows. the sides angle back in a straight line between the two levels. 

3) the flat top / the brush

one popular variation on this is known as the brush. it is so named because the top is left long enough to brush back or to the side while the sides and back are cut closely and tapered down to nothing. another is known as the flat top. here, the sides of the top hair are left a bit longer to create a flat plane across the top of the head. the hair in the center is cut shortest, creating a nearly bald patch known as a 'landing strip'.

4) the classic

one of the most popular of all time is a simple classic with the hair parted on one side and combed over. this look was made popular by cary grant and has remained in style since the 1930s. it is strongly favoured by men who want to project a conservative appearance and those who work in professional offices.

5) the pompadour

another classic retro look is the pompadour. this style was first made popular by rockabilly musicians of the late 1950s and early 1960s. it is created by having the hair cut short on the sides and back. the top is shorter in back, tapering to a longer length (up to three inches) in the front. the hair is combed at an angle tending forward. the front hair is then flipped upward and straight back. this creates height in the front.

originally, this look is created using hair cream that imparted a greasy appearance, it can now be created using pomade or wax to provide the needed hold. this gives the style a softer, more touchable appearance.

many of the newer hairstyles for men tend toward a lot of spikes and a messy, devil-may-care look. however, there are still several retro hairstyles for men that have never lost their popularity and are making a comeback in recent years. these include a wide range of buzz cuts, the simple classic, the pompadour and other short styles.

fash'on... BAM!

singlet-ed out?

after covering the more essential intimate wears like underwear and socks, this last one is an optional garment. not many men wear singlets but for those who do, they prove to be an essential part of the wardrobe. of course, some men have made singlets part of their outerwear as well so let's take a look at the world of singlets.

first, the types:

1) a-shirt / tank top

David Beckham for H&M

the term 'a-shirt' is short for 'athletic shirt' because it is often worn in sports, such as basketball and track-and-field events. in the united states, it is also known colloquially as a tank top, or, disparagingly, a wife-beater. in british english an a-shirt is known as a vest. another term, used in the republic of ireland, australia, nigeria and new zealand, is singlet.

in addition to athletic usage, a-shirts have traditionally been used as undershirts, especially with suits and dress shirts. they are sometimes worn alone without a dress shirt or top shirt during very warm and or humid weather. a-shirts may also be worn alone under very casual settings.

the build of an a-shirt is simple: the neck and armholes are often reinforced for durability. one usually has large armholes and neck holes and a neckline that can reach down as far as mid-chest. They are also sometimes made long to make tucking into a pair of trousers easier. In almost all cases, they are buttonless, collarless, and pocketless. an a-shirt worn as an undershirt is designed for a tight fit and is often made of ribbed cotton.

2) muscle tee

a sleeveless t-shirt, also called a muscle tee, is the same design as a t-shirt, but without sleeves. they are primarily worn by men since the large open sleeve holes would expose the female breast under certain circumstances. they are often worn during athletic activities. they were quite popular in the 1980s and were stereotypically associated with surfers and bodybuilders (hence the name 'muscle' shirt) who often bore the logo of their gyms on these shirts.

next, the cuts:

there are three different traditional 'cuts' to most singlets: the high cut, the fila cut, and the low cut. 

the high cut covers most of the chest and reaches up to the under-arms on the side. 

the fila cut is like the high cut but does not rise up as high beneath the arms. 

the low cut singlet is a revealing singlet, that allows greater range of mobility, keeps its wearer cooler, tends to be more comfortable. the low cut reaches down to the middle abdomen in the front, reaches down to the hips on the sides and features a single strap that runs up the back.

fash'on... BAM!