MAKE A BETTER IMPRESSION
To polish your image, start at the bottom and work your way up
PUT YOUR BEST FOOT FORWARD
Alternate between two good pairs of shoes. Even guys who are nicely pulled together too often wear scuffed, worn-out shoes, buying one pair and trashing them before replacing them.
Also, have two pairs of sneakers so you can keep the stinky gym shoes for the gym. These days, everyone from Adidas to Gucci is designing hip sneakers that, if kept clean, can get you through even a night at the Lyric. If you pair sneakers with a suit, dress it down-leave the tie at home and wear it with a T-shirt.
— Never underestimate the value of a well-shined shoe. When you fly, make it a habit to get a shoe shine at the airport-one of the cheapest places to get buffed.
BE PREPARED
Keep a freshly laundered dress shirt at work. You never know when an unexpected after-work invitation will come up. You will show up looking crisp and feeling fresh after a long day at the office.
UPDATE YOUR GLASSES
Like dress shoes, most men buy one pair of glasses and wear them out. Five years with the same pair is too much. Buy two different frames: a clean, minimal pair for a sophisticated, urbane look, and this season’s hot trend: bold and dark. Think Clark Kent. Alternate on weekends to shake things up and change your attitude.
5 CD’S EVERY GUY SHOULD OWN
1) CHET BAKER: IT COULD HAPPEN TO YOU
2) AL GREEN: GREATEST HITS
3) ROLLING STONES: STICKY FINGERS
4) AIR: PREMIERS SYMPTOMES
5) KRAFTWERK: TRANS-EUROPE EXPRESS
3 BOOKS THAT EVERY MAN SHOULD READ
1) THE CATCHER IN THE RYE
2) THE OX-BOW INCIDENT
3) BLINK
FEEL BETTER ABOUT YOUR LOOKS
YOUR BODY IS YOUR BEST ACCESSORY
When you feel good about yourself, you project confidence-it really shows. Men may think women are compulsive groomers, but take a cue from the fairer and, frankly, better-smelling sex: Get cleaned up.
Develop a grooming routine
You’re a busy guy, so save time and energy by having a set schedule for maintenance.
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For example, think of the first Saturday of each month as a tune-up day. Maybe schedule a haircut, and if your barber offers it, a hot shave. You work; you deserve it.
Invest in a quality razor. Dragging a cheap piece of plastic and steel across your skin doesn’t cut it -well, actually it might.
Have presentable toes/feet
Even if you are the only one looking at your feet, clean them up. It may not be flip-flop season, but at some point you will likely be taking your socks off. Fixing bad toenails is easy; talk to your doctor. If you’re nervous about the P-word, get over it-get a pedicure.
Exercise
— Invest in a personal trainer. After six months of assisted workouts, the results show. Once you see the change, it’s much easier to be on your own and build on that foundation.
— Join an organized team
It costs less than a personal trainer, and the guilt of letting the team down gets you to the game.
Check out sportsmonster.net and chicagosportandsocialclub.com.
— Volunteer to walk your neighbor’s dog
A few miles with Chumley every other day and you’ll feel a difference.
MAKE BETTER CONVERSATION
BE AN EXPERT AT SOMETHING OTHER THAN FANTASY FOOTBALL
Have a secret talent: Learn how to read a restaurant wine list and know the difference between a syrah and a petite sirah. Are pinot gris and pinot grigio the same thing?
Try winespectator.com for some answers.
For every blockbuster movie you see, go to a foreign film. Start with classics like Kurosawa’s “The Seven Samurai,” Fellini’s “La Dolce Vita” or fast-forward to Francois Ozon’s “Swimming Pool.”
Go to musicboxtheatre.com or siskelfilmcenter.org for listings.
HAVE LESS STRESS
Simplify your life
Stop writing checks and pay bills online. It’s fast, easy and helps avoid overdrafts.
Get rid of the clutter
Our lives are jam-packed as it is; if you don’t want to start with a therapist, start with the small stuff. Streamline your space. Take all of the “junk drawers” in your house (the ones that are full of mystery keys, scraps of paper and novelty bottle openers), spread out a bedsheet and dump out all the drawers. Edit heavily, throwing away 75 percent of the contents. Put drawers back; don’t think twice about it.
Tune out
Chill out on the evening news. It’s a bundle of stress packed with manufactured drama. Get informed by reading.
Stage a mini-refresher
Stay overnight at a hotel in your own town: Pack an overnight bag and get away. Cheaper than a two-week vacation and you’ll feel refreshed.
— Chicago’s Park Hyatt offers “The Art of Being a Gentleman” package with deluxe accommodations, a sushi flight and Sapporo beer upon arrival; a “gentlemen’s three-course menu”: cocktail, steak frites and cigar/cognac; massage and breakfast at NoMi. Starting at $555. Or try the Peninsula Hotel’s “Gentleman’s Retreat” at The Bar, which promises quiet relaxation with a selection of appetizers, a glass of privately blended Woodford Reserve bourbon, tea or coffee and a fine cigar for $36.
2 WARDROBE CLASSICS
1) A crisp white shirt with French cuffs. Pair your favorite worn jeans, loafers or boots and a crisp white shirt with cuff links. Casual and confident.
2) The best-fitting blue jeans your money can buy. A staple in any man’s wardrobe, jeans need to be up to date. The pair you bought five years ago doesn’t work today. This season, go for stiff, straight-leg dark denim or, if you need the security of a soft, broken-in pair, go with a faded gray wash.
With the hundreds of choices available, even Homer Simpson could look good. But expect to pay. Great-fitting, style-conscious jeans might run you a few bills, but they’re worth every penny.
3 STYLE HITS FOR YOUR WARDROBE THIS FALL
1) A CARDIGAN Every clothier from Banana Republic to Hermes is offering fall’s biggest hit. Wear it with a T-shirt or with a dress shirt and skinny tie.
2) BIKER BOOTS Worn with a casual suit. Whether polished and sharp from Dior Homme or broken-in from Carpe Diem, get booted.
3) A VEST Over a T-shirt or a thermal tee. Pair it with plaid suit trousers.
3 THINGS TO ALWAYS HAVE IN YOUR REFRIGERATOR
1) A BOTTLE OF CHAMPAGNE
2) BUTTER
3) EGGS (SEE BELOW)
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Black truffle and Gruyere omelet
1. Using a fork, lightly beat 3 large eggs in a bowl. Mix in 1 tablespoon cold water, 2 generous pinches of salt and ground black pepper to taste.
2. Place a 10-inch non-stick pan with sloped sides over medium heat for 2 minutes. Add 1 teaspoon unsalted butter, allowing it to get hot. Tilt the pan to coat with butter.
3. Pour in the eggs. After 10-15 seconds, gently stir the mixture in small circular motions, drawing large curds of cooked egg toward the center and allowing the uncooked egg to run out onto the hot pan. Briefly stir again, then leave untouched, cooking an additional minute.
4. Place 2 teaspoon drained, paper-thin slices of black truffles in olive oil* and 2 tablespoon grated Gruyere cheese on half of the omelet. Run a spatula around the eggs to release them from the sides of the pan. Fold one half of the eggs onto the other half. Serve immediately.
* Black truffles in oil available at Whole Foods and Fox & Obel.
MAKE YOUR PARTNER HAPPY
Cook
Learn how to make one of life’s simple pleasures, an omelet. Serving your love a nice breakfast will win you bonus points.
Have a standing date night
It’s easy to get in a rut and stay in all the time. Get out of the house, even if it’s for a neighborhood walk. If you have kids and finding a sitter is a problem, make a deal with other couples: Alternate one night a week to watch each others kids and create a free night to get out.
Give compliments And do it every day.
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Write us
OK, guys, your turn. What are your three must-have CDs, must-read books, must-see foreign films and favorite wardrobe classics? E-mail us at [email protected]