#valdm

[fuzzyprincefacecarlosarboli-blog]

(via https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ot3j5-vALdM)

[valdm]

Take a breath & count to 10 I love to write, I love to express myself and I love to share my ideas with the world. The very enjoyment of doing these things was one of the reasons that motivated me to start blogging. In dedicating my free time to a blog I feel as if I’m finally able to express my creative mind in a healthy and productive manner that makes me happy, and as far as I’ve published, it seems to attract readers and make them happy too. It is therefore, after much thought and ruminating I’ve decided to take the difficult but necessary decision to go on a relatively short hiatus from writing on VALDM. You see, as much as I love to write regularly, and as much as I love delivering something new every week, fate has made it so that I have realized that I need to take some time from the blog and focus on a number of things before I can proceed with publishing new material.  Considering that I travel abroad to study upon returning I’ve realized that I really wish to take time for my family to be with them, take time to reconnect with loved ones & old friends. I wish to take some personal time to regroup, to breathe, and to reflect on how to take on the New Year. Coming from a med-student I also need to worry about what I predict to be a defining year for me so I wish to prepare myself as much as possible for it as well. I also wish to take time to sit and fortify my ideas and plans for the blog in a much stronger and efficient way, considering that I now have a better idea as to which direction I wish to take it. It is also in this very hectic time that quite sadly I have had some technical difficulties in collaborators I had contracted and organized things with and thus have redirect energies into looking for new and hopefully better people that would be able to lend themselves to my ideas. All in all this creates for an environment where if I would have to create content it would not be out inspiration but out of a ‘necessity’. Thus, I think it would be best for both reader & writer to pause from blogging at the moment. It would be unfair to my readers, because the content I would present would be forced and of a subpar quality; for me, the writer, it would be an unfair representation of my ideas, abilities and a misrepresentation of my work ethic.  Thus I’ve decided to take a break until the beginning of next year where I project to resume blogging sometime in 2015. I have decided that it is in my best interest, and that of readers, for me to take this break, breathe, have fun, be human and refocus and come back with the best possible quality of work that I can. I truly wish that you all can understand and forgive the abrupt announcement and I hope that you will continue supporting me in this endeavour. I am beyond ecstatic and so grateful for all the support I’ve received. It truly means a lot and is quite inspiring. I also advise for you to take some time as the year comes to an end. Reflect, look to improve, be grateful. Get of technology for a while and read a good book, or go see friends or family, travel. Be alive. Look for joy. I thank you all and I hopefully will be back no later than mid-January, until then much love, peace and good vibes your way. -Valdo

[valdm]

Take a Walk I love cities. The busy lifestyle may be stressful and too overwhelming for some, but for me it is the essence of life. This is why whenever I can, whenever I feel a need for a break or whenever I feel for just a breath of life, I take a walk. I love exploring cities I love finding new cafes, beautiful urban art, or going to restaurants and watching people pass by. I love walking into stores, serendipitously finding little things I like and the smile it brings when I can buy it. From an amazing croissant shop to a ridiculously cheap clothing store or even a simple cup of fresh coffee, a walk always leaves me in a better mood. On this particular day I decided to dress up and walk around for a bit in one of the nicer parts of the city, just enjoying the wind, the sights and whatever was to come my way.   I decided to go with a comfortable yet casually dressy look for the day, donning a simple pair of black trousers, semi-dress shirt, a simple button up collared jacket and a pair of dressy sneakers. This look is cool, effortless yet versatile; it also takes advantage of some current fall/winter trends. Natural fibres, geometric or simple patterns in darker colours contrasting on lighter ones and vice versa, and plaid are all currently trending in male clothing. The shirt is linen ( a natural fibre and makes use of simple yet elegant blue lines;  my trousers are in an ever stylish black in slim fit; my jacket is plaid and green, also a current trending colour; and the shoes are classic leather. Overall this look is great to keep you warm, comfortable and on the move, but also looks nice if you wish to step into a café or look nice while out shopping and exploring the neighbourhood. I went to parks, to little shops, the mall I even met with some friends too; it was an awesome day.  Overall I enjoyed my walk and looked well doing so too; as my day came to an end I boarded a cab with some bags, a bagel and chai in hand; I gave my direction and after a second of thought I decided, ‘hmm, maybe I have time for some dinner too…’ Shirt by Pull&Bear Trousers by Dockers Shoes by Steve Madden Jacket (Vintage find)

[valdm]

So, it’s a date? Dates can be tricky, you want to look your best and put your best foot forward but you also want to look as effortless as possible. Some might find it nerve wracking trying to set the best impression on a date, but with confidence and a little help in your personal style you’ll be sure to have an excellent time. It’s important to consider the time of day, location and dress code of your chosen meeting place, be it at a park for a picnic or a nice restaurant in a posh sector of your city, we must always be mindful to standout and look our best, but not be jarring and out of place. Considering that I’ll be going for a casual stroll and coffee after, I chose to go with a young yet sophisticated look; classy enough for a great date but relaxed enough to not seem too ridged or forced. I donned a crisp white oxford shirt paired with dark denim slim fit jeans, a green slim tie and some dressed up leather sneakers. Considering that autumn’s coming to an end and we’re entering winter I also chose a nice tweed flat cap in green and a maroon jumper to keep me warm. The final touches were a great leather belt, a watch (to ensure punctuality), and most importantly, a killer smile. Wearing: Shirt by Zara Denim by GAP Shoes by Steve Madden Tie by Emilio S. Perera Jumper by Pull&Bear Cap by River Island Watch by Geneva Belt by Emilio S. Perera

[valdm]

The Men's Barbershop

There are some things, I suppose, that one really shouldn't procrastinate on; paying bills, going to the doctor or dentist for check-ups and for those more aesthetically oriented visiting your barber.  Being in med-school however I sometimes painfully put off getting a cut due to my crazy schedule where I’d rather allocate my time to something like, sleep perhaps. After a certain point, however, one looks in the mirror and goes ‘Good God I need a haircut’ and today was one such day.  Luckily, I had just concluded classes as I was due for my trim so I made time to head over to my preferred barber shop in the city, The Men’s Barber Shop.   I had originally discovered The Men’s Barber Shop while looking for a new barber on Facebook. My then barber had then informed me that he would be relocating to Panama and that sadly I would have to find another barber within the month. I freaked out. You see, having hair like mine is quite a challenge, it’s slightly textured, wavy and thick; all perfect ingredients for a disastrous cut in the wrong hands. Thus, after having to go through five barbers before I found one capable of handling my head of hair I truly was dreading having to undergo the process once more. Having great hair is highly important to me, because just as your personal style, or the way you carry your self, it indicates a lot about your personality and levels of sophistication;a young man with a class cut is definitely one who's on top of his game. Thankfully I would soon find out that The Men’s Barber Shop would be my god sent. When I first stumbled upon the establishment’s Facebook page (found here [x]) I was instantly attracted by the vibes and visuals they presented; young, but with a great respect and emulation of all things retro. After reviewing the photos I was highly impressed at the level of detail and skill applied to each cut and also concluded that most of the styles took inspiration greatly from the 40-60’s. Considering that these classic cuts are my favourites I was already eager to make an appointment. To my pleasant surprise, however, after contacting them I was told that they only offer genuine ‘walk in’ services and didn't schedule reservations but would be glad to give me a trim any time. I decided to visit the shop on one of my casual Saturday city adventures. After walking a bit I arrived at the shop and was warmly greeted by the receptionist at the front desk, who told me I’d only have to wait a turn before I was up for my cut. Not only was the receptionist warm but so were the barber too; a pleasant and refreshing change from many of the previous shops I've gone to, filled with stiff staff and a pretentious air around the establishment. Once in the seat I was asked what I wanted done and was listened to attentively by my barber, Bryan. This was great for me and key because it showed that from the very start special attention would be given to each client’s specific needs and concerns. After some suggestions and consultations we settled on a cut and my barber begun his work. Between chit chat and the especially keen work being done to my hair I was definitely enjoying getting my hair cut, as it should be. After a wash and styling I was quite impressed with the results. I thanked Bryan, paid the surprisingly affordable fee and went on my way feeling like a new man. This time would be no different.  After a couple of months I was greeted by Sergio, my barber, and asked how I was doing. I told him I was great, save for the fact that I desperately need my ‘hurr did’. After chuckle and some chit chat he told me that he’d just need to attend to one more client and he’d get to me. On the chair he noted that I was lucky that I was able to grow my hair quickly and abundantly to which I sarcastically replied ‘sure’, it can be a blessing and a burden, this produced a laugh. I settled on a classic undercut and Sergio got to work. After a half an hour that consisted of detailed trimming, periodic consultation, a wash and styling, I finally looked decent again. I chatted a bit more with Sergio and the other barber, shared a couple laughs and thanked them for the always superb job. I paid my fee, got my frequent client card stamped and bid them adieu. I was once again ready to take on the world. The Men’s Barber Shop truly is a great place to get a quality haircut. I highly recommend that if you’re a class act, are in Guatemala City, and are in need of trim you definitely must pay them a visit.

[valdm]

Dia de los muertos - Los Finados

I have always been a person fascinated by people, where they came from and their cultures. This fascination not only limited itself to others but especially focused on myself; I loved learning about my heritage.  Growing up in northern Belize the culture of my town was predominantly Hispanic Yucatec-Mestizo influenced and thus; even though my family had multi-cultural practices and even though I had a multi-ethnic heritage; it was this Identity in which I was mostly raised in and up to this day mostly identify with. As I grew up, not only physically but socially and mentally, I begun to take more interest in the cultures that were around me, those that influenced me and the ones that made up my heritage. It was then that I began to realize that my identity was much more complex.  Surprising I learned that not only was my family multi-cultural in its ways but we were also multi-ethic. Through a myriad of social reasons, however, our mix of cultures, the very things that help define us and that we define as people, sadly eroded with time. I won’t delve too deeply into this story, as it is quite long and profound, but it made me realize that my parents and my grandparents before them, each had similar experiences where time and a lack of active participation and preservation of cultures from which they came from made them lose parts of their heritage. With this realization came cascading others, I realized that a lot of Belizeans could probably identify with but did not actively think of or care for this loss of culture. I was both hurt and confused that things like language and history, stories, and a plethora of traditions were not able to make it into my hands for me to pass on into the future because the chain was broken long before I came into existence. There are cultures and ethnicities that I can no longer truly identify and connect with even though I am fully aware that it is their existence and influence that make me who I am now. This led to my personal campaign into actively learning and recuperating as much of my heritage as I was possibly able to, starting with my Hispanic Yucatec-Mestizo roots.  ‘Dia de los Muertos’ or 'Los Finados' is of great importance of me because it is in its essence a day of remembrance, one where we recall the memories of the deceased and celebrate them while also being grateful for our life and cherishing those still living with us. As a child it meant eating glorious food and visiting the cemetery to remember my loved ones; it was a beautiful celebration of my culture. Now I guard the tradition fiercely for I associate it with my entire heritage, celebrating what I have lost while acknowledging that which is living. It is a time where I can not only honour my ancestors in their peace but also their gifts to me, their culture. As a young adult it is very important for me to advocate these practices because in Belize our culture is undergoing a rapid decline, we are dying. I must parallel my plight with my Belizean brothers to the south, the Garinagu. The number of native speakers of their language has been dwindling where only until recently have there been initiatives to preserve it; in the north our Spanish is so deeply corroded that whenever we visit our neighbours to the north we are easily identified for our lack of cultivating the Spanish tongue.  Similarly our traditions have been dying but the great difference is that in the south there is an aggressive involvement preserving the culture in all age groups, while in the North it’s quite the few, and mostly the elderly whom strive to continue to maintain the Hispanic traditions. Our culture is atrophying, we are passive in maintaining it, but quick to adopt foreign cultures that are easily accessible due to globalization. Things like Halloween, for example, are not inherently bad, cultural exchange is a wonderful thing; but when they come at the cost of the native culture then is where the problem arises.  It is for these reasons that I from a young age personally decided to maintain this tradition, even if I am not in my home country; because I solemnly believe that the only way we can instill change in our communities is if we start with ourselves. Now every November 1st and 2nd I celebrate, I remember.  ‘Dia de los Muertos’ has a long and rich history predating modern day Mexico (you can read more about it here [X] and here [X]) but essential it arose out of a compromise between pre-Hispanic native American beliefs and those of the Roman Catholic church brought by Spanish ‘conquistadores’.    Presently these days involve going to church and attending mass dedicated to the deceased for the religious, processions, preparing food for alters at home and at cemeteries and visiting burial grounds to bring gifts of flowers, drink and food to the dead; where one would spend time praying and eating with the defunct in the cemeteries. It is important to note that these celebrations occur mostly in parts of Mexico (and by extension northern Belize) where there is influence of native tradition; in Northern mexico celebrations aren't as lively due to more European influence and tradition. Similarly in other parts of the world where Span had its influence November first and second are celebrated as days of remembrance but not like the 'Dia de los Muertos' in Mexico. Since I can’t visited my dearly departed considering we are in different countries, I have prepared an alter in honour of them.   Most alters are usually composed of food that the dead preferred, fruit, water, drinks and pictures or religious symbols, all adorned with flowers and candles. Mine is a bit more simple, as these alters can be quite elaborate. I prepared freshly stewed beans, a must in every Hispanic household back home; empanadas (panades), a typical Yucatec dish consisting of a seasoned corn patty stuffed with either beans, fish or ground meat which is then deep fried and usually served with onion or cabbage sauces(I might consider making a post on later) and ‘chocolate’, a seasoned hot chocolate beverage. Along with this is 'fiambre', a salad like dish prepared by Guatemalans for their celeberation of 'Dia del os Muertos',  water, candles, flowers and the ever popular ‘Pan de Muerto’. Marigolds are the traditional flowers used for this celebration, however my local florist sold out so i had to settle for similar flowers. The food and drinks are set out to invite the spirits of the deceased to join in celebration and indulge in the earthly things they have left behind; this is done because it is believed that these are the only days the dead can return and visit the world of the living.  The candles are meant to keep vigil, ever inviting. The ‘Pan de Muerto’ is a delicious treat that along with the sugar skulls, 'calaveras',  are some of the most recognized symbols of this celebration. I was lucky enough to find a bakery in Guatemala that offered authentic ‘Pan de Muerto’ and gladly bought extras. Once the alter is made, set and adorned and the darkness falls the candles are lit, prayers are said and then the festival commences. I lastly decided to dress in the traditional male cultural clothing of the Yucatan; the 'Guayabera'.  

I am truly glad that I am able to share in such a rich and beautiful culture and more importantly play an active role in its preservation and continuance. I am thrilled that I am able to share this with people of other cultures and I encourage my fellow Hispano-Belizeans to do so as well; in helping reclaim and maintain our heritage we are able to fortify our identity. To my Mexican brothers and sisters who share the tradition, albeit more elaborately and slightly different, I wish you a ‘feliz dia del los muetos’ too. Que desfruten de la compania y memorias de sus queridos defuntos y que siga la celebracion de nuestra bella cultura.  Saludos a todos - Valdo X

[valdm]

All Black Errythang It’s autumn, it’s getting cold and Halloween is upon us; so in that spirit, I chose to wear a truly timeless classic: all black.  Most tend to associate all black with funerals, certain rock sub-cultures, or boring, dull work clothes; thus, they rarely use it in their daily attire.  The fashion-savvy know, however, that all black is the gift that keeps on giving. Not only is black a slimming colour that’s easy to wear and mix and match but it quite literally NEVER goes out of style. Monochromatic is currently trending, so that’s a plus as well.  With the right pieces you can easily, without stress (here’s to you lazy/indecisive folk), walk out the door looking fresh A.F. What I went for is a sharp, urban look with some ‘high-end’ details, starting with a nice t-shirt and a pair of trousers that are well fitted, both black but in different textures and tones. In using varying shades of the same colour and different textures for different articles of your clothing, you create contrast and depth in what you’re wearing and make it more interesting. I also threw on a light parka. To truly master monochromatic we must understand that key to making ‘all black’ always look impeccable, is in the details. Ensure you have at least one article that is of a different colour, be it your shoes or in your accessories, to catch the eye and create further interest in your outfit. I chose two currently trending colours to enhance my get-up: brown and green; donning brown leather sneakers with wing-tip detail, a leather belt along with a pair of amber coloured sunglasses and watch, my artisanal coin bracelet, chain-link ring and jade pendant. I also had a brown leather book bag with me since I was heading to my Uni. Adding a bit of colour to the look allows for the black to dominate but not feel forced and saturated. This look is classic, yet young, current and relatable not to mention super comfortable; and it literally took me about five minutes to throw together and get dressed, so it’s perfect for days when you’re on the go but still want to look like you run things. It also transitions great from morning wear to night wear since I looked fly both in class and later in the evening when I went out to dinner with friends. If done right, black is a great way to stand out and make a statement effortlessly. Wearing: T-shirt by ASOS Trousers by Dockers Parka by Element Belt by Thom Browne Shoes by Steve Madden Watch by Geneva Sunglasses by Ralph Lauren

[valdm]

Les Hommes Arrivent 

Bonjour mon amis ! A week ago I had the pleasure of attending the launch party for the newest men’s wear store to establish itself in the country, Celio*.  Celio* is a chain of French clothing stores founded by Marc y Laurent Grosman in 1985, offering exclusive, high end collections. Celio* Guatemala opened its doors on 15th of October, 2014 in the Miraflores Shopping Galleries, with the mission to offer the urban man new innovative “prêt-à-porter” (ready to wear) clothing choices ranging from closet essentials, to casual wear, to more elegant and smarter choices for whatever occasion.  Celio* Guatemala’s aestehtic is based on European tendencies and offers the standard seasonal collections. Before the official launch I decided to stop by the store during the day and see what they had to offer by interacting first hand with staff and reviewing the products themselves. I can honestly say that shopping at Celio* is truly a great experience. Apart from having a well-informed, attentive and amicable staff the clothing offered is truly of exceptional quality.  The items were impeccably tailored, highly stylish and very accessible. From their trousers to their shirts to outerwear, such as sweaters jackets and coats, every item was well detailed and constructed from some of the finest materials. I was quite excited to try on some of the clothing; once on I was highly satisfied not only with how the clothing looked on me, but also the fit and feel. I highly recommend visiting the store and getting some really superb pieces. To learn more the links to their Facebook page and Instagram are here and here.  After bidding adieu to the store I headed home and when the hour came I begun to get ready for what was sure to be a memorable night. Considering that it was my first event covering for my blog I must admit that choosing a great outfit was mildly nerve-racking; I finally decided to go with something casually sophisticated, young and effortlessly dapper. I donned a green v-neck shirt by Pull&Bear, a dark grey checked jacket by Sid Mashburn, a great pair of slim fit black trousers by Zara, and a pair of white sneakers by Zara. I complemented this look with an amber styled watch by Geneva and an artisanal coin bracelet. This look achieved a smart balance between the elegant simplicity of classic pieces, and the youthfulness of trends; such as one of this year’s autumn-winter colours, green, and that of checked suits and jackets.  Upon arriving to the fête I confronted the daunting feat of being the new kid on the block and begun socializing with other amazing people in the country’s thriving fashion and lifestyle industry. It was in chatting and mingling that I met some great new blogger friends; Stephanie, Amparo and Sorel, who were delightful enough to welcome me to the blogging community. We engaged in interesting conversations, dined on scrumptious food and sipped on fine wine. Oh the wine…I mean what is a French party without wine? Half way through the festivities we turned our attention from our conversations and looked on as the manager of the new store (a vision of ethereal elegance) along with the French ambassador ceremoniously cut the ribbon and inaugurated the new establishment.  It was now official, Celio* was open to Guatemalan consumers, the hall reverberated with applause. As the night continued I was introduced to new people, from fellow bloggers to photographers, designers and stylists, each gracious enough to wish me well on my endeavour. We complemented each other’s great sense of style, shared ideas and laughs and toasted to success.  At the night’s end, not only had I enjoyed the event but I also made great friends whom I highly recommend following as well, links to their blogs here: Stephanie Amparo Sorel Flor I’d like to not only thank these ladies for showing me an awesome time but for also being delightful enough in sharing photos with me. Merci beaucoup to Celio* manager Stephanie Zimeri for inviting me to the event and for taking time to assist me in store during my morning visit and also for being gracious enough in proving information on the store itself.  Over all welcoming Celio* to Guatemala was an amazing experience and I hope that the store finds great success! A bientot, Valdo

[valdm]

 Festival of lights & indulgence in mithai - Chana  Dal Burfi      Growing up in such an ethnically and culturally rich country as Belize I was always fascinated by different places, people and culture. One such place was India; land of colour and spices, exotic in its beauty, food and people.  Being of a multi-cultural background myself I already had knowledge of certain Indian foods, but it was when I was seven that I first tasted authentic Indian confectionery.        I remember it clearly, my parents decided to do some shopping down town and we decided to stop at an ‘Indian shop’ to buy some articles for the home. It so happened that we walked into a store owned by a family acquaintance and upon seeing my parents, he greeted them and proceeded to tell one of the workers to fetch something for us. Upon returning we were presented with a plate of gorgeously ornate sweets (known as mithai); we were told it was ‘Diwali’. My parents thanked the man for his kindness and we went along with our shopping, but my mind stayed on Diwali and what it might be. Upon arriving home my mum rationed the beautiful morsels and I rushed to my encyclopaedia set for answers. As I poured over my books, reading about this Indian festival of light, I took my first bight of the delicacy, it was heaven. Not only was whatever I hand in my hand beautiful to see but it was also scrumptious. I continued my read, ate my delicious treats and became ever more fascinated by Indian culture.      Now that I am at an age where not only do I cook for myself, but enjoy doing so too, I decided to reach out to a friend who happened to know the recipe for one such sweet: Chana Dal Burfi. I decided to revive the memory of that wonderful night and under took the task of making the sweet, here are the instructions of what you’ll need to make Burfi, a wonderful treat that’s served during festivities in India.

Ingredients:

2 cups Chana Dal (Chickpeas) or 1 can pre cooked chana 3-5 cups of Chini (Sugar) 2 ½ cups of Dudh (Milk) 1 cup of Kishamish (Raisins)  1 cup of sliced Badam (Almonds) 2 teaspoon of freshly ground Elaichi (Cardamom) 1 teaspoon of ground Dalchini Jaiphal masala (Cinnamon & Nutmeg mix) 1 pinch of Keshar (Saffron)  ½ cup desiccated Nariyala (Coconut) 4 tablespoons of Ghee (clarified butter)

You’ll also need:

Deep frying pan Blender or potato masher Spatula Baking tin Wax paper or foil Knife Measuring cups and spoons

Preparation: Considering this is not your typical preparation it may seem daunting at first to prepare Chana Dal Burfi but I assure you that all you’ll need is patience and some time and you’re sure to have an amazing treat as a reward.  Before anything, have a pan lined with wax paper or aluminium foil greased with ghee and ready. If you are to use fresh chana (which is preferable), soak them for two hours before cooking them in a pressure cooker with milk; once done soaking, cook them for about 10-20 minutes ensuring they become tender but don’t lose their form. Ensure that they are covered sufficiently with milk when cooking. You can also use a regular thick bottomed pot to cook the chana, but it will take longer, as it tends to simmer and evaporate quickly. Now place the cooked chana and milk in a blender and blend until a smooth paste of thick consistency is achieved. If you don’t have a blender a potato masher will do. If you used precooked canned chickpeas simply drain them, rinse and add them to the blender with 1- 1 ½ cups of milk, creating the same paste. Once you have your paste, heat you Kadai or pan and add the ghee until melted, then add the chana dal paste and stir it continuously for about 8-10 minutes on medium low heat until a slight colour change occurs. Once this happens add 1 ½ to 2 cups of milk and 3 cups of sugar, 1-1/2 cups of sugar can be added if you like sweeter desserts. Stir this mixture continuously for about 15 minutes or until you see the mixture, called Halwa, start pulling from the sides of the pan. Once this occurs add the desiccated coconut, ground cardamom, ground cinnamon & nutmeg, saffron, raisins and nuts and stir properly and cook for a minute or two more. The spices are added last because they are aromatic in nature and if added earlier their flavourful properties would be destroyed by the excess heat. You can also use other nuts such as cashes or pistachios, almonds are my personal favourite, but ensure you save some for garnishing. When the halwa has achieved a thick consistency you can pour it into your pre lined pan and let it cool for a couple of minutes. Once cooler, take a wet hand and pat the halwa down until even it out in the pan, allow it to cool for an hour or two. Once cool you can cut the halwa into diamonds or use moulds or cookie cutters to shape your burfi. Plate, garnish with nuts and serve. This treat is truly delicious and is wonderful to share with friends and guests; they truly are hits even at the most lavish parties.   I do hope you enjoyed the recipe and that you like this delectable dessert as much as I do. Namaste! 

[valdm]

The Basics.       In our current culture and society, the vast majority of the population has fallen to complacency. Complacency in their goals, their jobs, their relationships, their health and in the way they present themselves to the world. Pertaining to how one dresses, this is especially true for the majority of men, who in recent generations have been satisfied with limiting their style to using mostly ill-fitting jeans, cargo shorts and graphic tees or clothing brands targeted towards teenagers. This is, of course, a generalization of us guys. I do know quite a few men who know that looking sharp is one of the greatest weapons a man can possess in his quest for success. This, coupled with confidence and a great state of well-being, allows for a trifecta that, with determination, poises one to be one unstoppable force. Most men, however, have decided to excuse their lack of ‘sense of pride in self’ with the guise that looking well isn’t a trait of masculinity, when it in fact simply is a symptom of laziness. These poor choices are pardonable for the young and impressionable, but there comes a time in every young man’s life when we must grow to accept that with age, comes the responsibility of projecting a more mature and well-presented image of one’s self.        Some men already know that the key to having great style, as with everything else, is having a great foundation to work with. Others may need a little help, so, as to not BE basic, here are the basics for any young man’s wardrobe: Dress Shirts: Every young man will need at least two dress shirts (I personally recommended four to five), one in a lighter colour and one in a darker colour. This allows for the greatest versatility for dressing up, recommended colours are white, black, pastels and shades of blue and grey.  Pictured above: two oxford shirts in classic White and Black, both  by Pierre Cardain.  Slacks:  Slacks are as necessary, if not more so, than jeans. Where jeans can provide a smart, casual comfort slacks allow for sophistication and class.  Recommended is a pair of darker dress slacks in either a black or navy and a pair of classic chinos in either cream, khaki, olive, hunter green; navy and black are also acceptable choices.  Pictured above: Black D3 Slim fit trousers by Dockers                           Khaki Chinos by Eddie Bauer Belts: To compliment your pants ensure you have at least two belts, one in black and the other brown, it is highly recommended that these be of leather . Pictured above: Black skinny belt by Zara                           Brown skinny belt by Thom Browne T- Shirts: For day to day activities these are the best and easiest to wear. T-shirts are as simple and as versatile as it gets, with must have colours being black, grey and white, with them either being crewneck or V-neck depending on your preference. Also recommended is one in blue, green or a darker red along with another in a preferred colour, totaling to five t-shirts.  Pictured above: Black crewneck T-shirt by ASOS                              Grey crewneck T-shirt by Fruit of the Loom                              White crewneck T-shirt by Old Navy                              Maroon crewneck T-shirt by UrbanUp                              Green V-neck T-shirt by Pull&Bear Jumpers: Also known as sweaters, these are great when the cooler months arrive and the three must have colours are black, grey and white, you can add two more shirts, one in either olive, maroon or blue and the other in a preferred colour totaling four.  Pictured above: Dark grey jumper by ASOS                              White jumper by Pull&Bear                              Blue jumper by Zara Jeans: One in a darker wash and one in a lighter will do, a pair of black denim is equally versatile. Pictured above: Dark wash slim straight cut Levi Strauss Denim                          Light wash Levi Straus 501’s.  Button-up Shirts: These are a great addition to a wardrobe and lend themselves well to adaptability, going from casual day to day  to day on the town to  business casual. Recommended are a pair in long-sleeved and a pair in short-sleeved. Styles may be either in Plaid, Denim or Plain to start.  Pictured above: Blue long-sleeved denim shirt by Route66                                 Red plaid long-sleeved shirt by Dockers                                 Chambray short-sleeved shirt by Faded Glory                                 Beige short-sleeved shirt by St. John’s Bay Shorts: Perfect for warmer regions, shorts expand the options for daily wear, with recommended must colours in cream, khaki, navy and black; with an alternate to navy being olive.  Pictured above: Cream Shorts by Perry Ellis                                 Navy shorts by Izod                                 Khaki shorts by Roundtree&Yorke                                 Black shorts by Dockers Auxiliary Shirts: These shirts help to greatly broaden one’s choices in the wardrobe. Polos go well with chinos and shorts, a tank top is great for summer and a Henley shirt is a great counterpart for cooler months.  Colours are to one’s preference but keep in mind that your objective should be to be able to match these items to as much of the rest of your wardrobe as possible.  Colours such as greys, blues, dark reds and greens and browns work very well, they can even be combined, such as the two toned Henley and the ever classic nautical tank top.  Pictured above: Burgundy polo by Dockers                                 cream and olive Henley by Faded Glory                                 Nautical striped blue and white tank top by Zara Shoes: A man needs at the very least a pair of leather dress shoes and a pair of casual shoes, recommended are a pair of black dress shoes, a pair brown dress shoes, a pair or white tennis shoes and a pair of black tennis shoes. Boots are also a great addition, idyllic for rain and colder weathers.  Loafers are great for causal days when you wish to dress up a bit, but also work well for business casual, and depending on the quality even business type events. They’re recommended in black or brown. Pictured above: Black oxford shoes by Johnston&Murphy                                 Brown oxford shoes by Salvatore Ferragamo                                 Black tennis shoes by Pull&Bear                                 White tennis shoes by Zara                                 Black Loafers by Gucci                                 Brown Boots by EmilioS.Perera Accessories: Every man must own a watch. Sun glasses are also great especially in sunnier regions where eye protection is in one’s best interest. Ties and bowties add an air of sophistication when dressing for certain events; one should at least own a couple of ties, one for lighter shirts and one for darker shirts. Lastly it is important that one invests in at least one quality cologne; personally I have at least two for casual days and two for special occasions.  Pictured above: Brown sunglasses by Ralph Lauren                                 Black club master sunglasses knockoffs                                 Amber watch by Geneva                                 Red leather bowtie by Zara                     Ties (L-R) by Lanvin, Polo by Ralph Lauren, EssexRow,H&M                                 Blue Jeans Cologne by Versus Versace

     The objective to any great wardrobe foundation is to have versatility in the clothing you wear; meaning, that with any given article you can wear it with a good amount of other clothing pieces and it still looks great.  This allows for room for both addition of items to your basis, which creates personality to one’s style; and for expansion into other personal styles and preferred likes, once there is a comfortable level of manipulating the items you already have.  This transforms the foundation from what seems to be the most basic or articles, into the most appealing.      Along with the preceding items one must always keep in mind three very important things; fit, quality and budget. You must ensure that your clothing fits you well, not being too big nor too small. You must aim to buy clothing that is made of quality (remember that brand does not always equate quality), considering that clothing of lesser quality tend to be poorly constructed, made of poorer materials and tend to lose colour and structure easier, causing your clothes to look dingy and thus leaving you with either buying new clothes more often or looking drab in the old ones. Finally you must ALWAYS be mindful of your budget. You do not always have to spend copious amounts of capital to look smart (although it does help to have a bigger budget, it isn’t always necessary). Know your means and limits and be creative as to how to spend your money, because god forbid you splurge on a pair of jeans, but can’t cover rent or a doctor’s visit. Looking good is an investment, but do not neglect other obligations in doing so as well.       With all these things considered, you will be not only be on your way to cultivating a great form of expressing who you are as an individual but you will also grow into a confident, smartly dressed young man who’s ready to take the world.