In Short, Men's Clothes have come a long way- but would you say some things have come too far?

I'll admit it: I am a regular and avid reader of men's magazines.  Esquire. GQ.  It goes with the territory since my job requires I be "up to date" on the latest styles and trends.  But, the MORE important part of my job is to be able to adapt those styles and trends to real life and create clothes real men really want to wear and CAN wear, with comfort and confidence- and of course, in the correct sizes and fits. 

It's not uncommon, of course, to see a few "outlandish" things, that are actually kinda' cool and slowly you start to see them worn "on the street."  For example, I love that this season seems to be awash with bright color- from jeans, to socks, to hats- you name it.  For most of us though, these "trends" are incorporated in our wardrobes in more subtle ways.  A bright colored tie, or a T-shirt that pops worn under a more neutral V-neck sweater. Check out some examples below.

Orange & Blue- great for Spring (and fans of a certain Florida team...but I won't pick sides!) - available in short and tall tie lengths at ForTheFit.com

A bright, Spring-worthy trio of shorter-length ties, available in short men's clothing sizes at ForTheFit.com

It's Spring!  The latest trend: make it POP!  Try pairing a bright colored top with an equally Spring-hued sweater in a light silk, suitable for the season  (featured above: short men's proportioned fit top in Grass Green, 23.98, and silk blend short men's sweater in a perfect sky blue "Azure", 49.98; tall men's shirts are available,too.  Try our essential Tees and Polos in Tall Men's Clothing  Sizes, 8 colors from $16.99

But every now and again, a new trend surfaces that leaves me scratching my head.  Take the new "man bags" flooding the marketplace.  Oversized, Mary-Poppins inspired things with straps so short they require the bag be carried by hand.  Beautiful leathers and charming shapes abound, I grant you- but really?  They seem uncomfortable and conspicuous to me.  Modern life requires wheels to move swiftly through the airport.  Easy to open bags from which you can swiftly remove your laptop at security checkpoints.  A bag you can sling on your back or shoulder so you can also manage the newspaper, coffee mug, phone, keys or other slew of items you need both hands to handle at any given time.  Theses new (or old?  they are vintage inspired!) bags just don't seem practical.  Then again, I am not a man and perhaps you guys have been limited to messenger bags and backpacks for far too long.  Are you ready for a change? In short, men's clothes has come a long way, but would you say it's gone too far?  I'd love to hear some opinions- what do you all thing of the new men's "travel" bags and overnighters?

Yours through thick, thin, (and  tall & short men's clothing!)  =)

-Consuelo Bova,
CEO, ForTheFit.com for short men's clothing and tall men's clothes- slim or stout

Socks... To Match? or Not to Match?...

That is (among) the questions, our style experts here at ForTheFit.com are asked most often.

"Should I match my socks to my pants? My shirt? My shoes?? Wear whatever is clean? Help!!!"

Unfortunately, there is no one, perfect answer. Heck, mostly it's up to you. But, we'll do our best to dispel the myths, offer the basics, and get you taking a step in the right direction for you!

There is one, hard, fast rule: DON’T match your socks to your shoes, this blurs the line between your feet and your legs. Makes you look shorter. Just don't do it.

If you are a dapper, dressy sort, then consider this: DO match your socks to your pants. Black Suit= Black Socks. Navy trouser= Navy socks.

Khaki Pants= Khaki... STOP. See Below.

For a more casual look, and for dressy looks if you are the more stylish type : DO match your socks to an accessory such as a tie or pocket square, or for the khaki pants example, match to your shirt. DO opt for subtle patterns that are in step with the rest of your outfit.

At ForTheFit.com, we have both solids (to match our best-selling dress trousers) and patterns to rock those khaki's and jeans! Best of all, our socks are available in the impossible to find men's size Small (5-8) .

So what is your take on matching sock matter? We'd love to knowwhat you think! Use the voting buttons below to cast your vote!




Also, remember that Father's Day is around the corner (June 20, 2010!). Socks don't usually rank high on anyone's gift list, but if your Dad is still wearing Khaki or White socks with everything, maybe it's time to give him a leg-up! Try some patterns and other fun styles!

Summer of '09 on SALE!!!

It's that time of year everyone looks forward to (our customers do, at least!)- The Annual Inventory Clearance Sale! We don't discount much throughout the year, but during our annual sale, we make up for it! The sale runs from July 1- July 31, 2009 and new products will be added throughout the month- so check out today's selection and check back regularly for new additions. First come, first serve and quantities are limited (hence the inventory clearance sale)- so shop early and often for the best selection.

Good luck and happy shopping,

C. Bova, CEO
ForTheFit.com

If the sock fits...": The Do's and Don'ts of this highly Misunderstood Men's Accessory

...then buy it in every color!

Men don't often give much thought to their hosiery purchases, until of course it's halfway through some insufferable meeting and you notice your socks are slipping and your feet hurt from the misplaced seams- or perhaps on a walk, when you stop to adjust your socks every few steps. Sound familiar? Then read on!


FIT & QUALITY: Stepping in...
Half Sizes, Widths...when buying shoes, you look for a perfect fit. Yet, socks are only offered in these wide ranges that suggest that you can wear the same footwear as a man who wears a shoe 3 sizes larger than you. The retail industry has determined that the "average" shoe size is 10-12 and creates socks accordingly. However, if you were smaller than a 10 or larger than a 12, you may find fit to be a problem. Men with smaller feet often shop the boy's department for dress and casual socks, finding the low price irresistable. But the quality is poor, so socks have to be replaced with such frequency that any savings disappear. Others simply buy socks that are too large and tuck under the toe, leading to foot pains, itching, or just plain discomfort. Former shoe salesperson A. Bridge reveals, "I can tell you that no matter what those sock packages claim, men under a size 8 won't fit into a 10-13 sock size without rolling or tucking – and they aren't happy about it. Also, Men with larger feet shop store after store looking for socks with heels that actually reach the end of their foot."

Instead, find socks that fit your foot. For larger shoe sizes (13+), try specialty retailers, such as
JayStevens.com, which offer socks in larger size ranges. For smaller feet (shoe size less than 10), FortheFit.com offers premium Men's socks in size small, to fit shoe sizes 5-9.

Quality matters, too. The hallmark of quality socks and hosiery are the seam, material and workmanship. Face it, men's socks get used and abused- you literally walk all over them. Invest in quality hosiery that offers a hand-linked toe-seam for an exceptionally smooth join, and premium fibers (which hold-up better wash-after-wash, wear-after-wear).

STYLE: Stepping Out
Now that you've found socks to fit you, here are a few style tips to make sure your feet don't offend...

• The color of your socks should match the color of your pants, not your shoes. However, the color is preferably not exact unless you wear black pants.


• Your sock drawer should include at least two each of the basics: black socks for dress, blue for jeans, a color close to khaki and athletic socks


• Athletic Socks are for the Gym only. Period.


• With shorts, wear nothing higher than an Ankle sock. With long pants, wear socks high enough that you expose no leg when you sit.


• Colorful and patterned socks are great for adding a little extra pizazz to your wardrobe, but keep this in mind: the more colorful your outfit the more toned down your socks should be. Avoid looking like you stepped out of a work by Andy Warhol.


• Socks + Sandals = Oil + Water - they never go together.