Best & Worst Dressed

The 5 Best and 5 Worst-Dressed Super Bowl Players of 2013

Few would think of fashion & style when talking about this weekend’s Super Bowl. Not so for us at Bows-N-Ties. Over the last few days we took a closer look at all the players of the 49ers and the Ravens – but not in terms of their performance on the field – but instead, how they dress when not at work. Below are our Top 5 picks for the best & worst dressed players of this year’s Super Bowl. Looks like the 49ers are by far the more stylish team – beating the Ravens 7:3

The Top 5 Most Stylish Players:
In no particular order, here are the 5 most stylish players of this year’s SuperBowl. Looks like the SF 49ers win this challenge 3:2 over the Baltimore Ravens.

Raven’s Joe Flacco makes the list of best-dressed thanks to his skill of matching multiple patterns into a single outfit without causing a disconnect or pattern-clash.

49er Michael Crabtree earns one of five best-dressed spots thanks to his use of 3-piece suits and bold colors.

Raven’s Ray Lewis has the biggest tie knot in all of the NFL. If we could give an award to the largest tie knot, then Lewis would take the cake. Surprisingly however, the humungous knot works for him as it nicely compliments his frame.

49er Vernon Davis is no stranger to fashion and style. His use of patterns, his approach to formal black tie, and his choice in accessories earn him a well-deserved spot on our best-dressed list.

49ers Aldon Smith is not afraid to show some color. His recent debut of pink suit and checkered vest combo was convincing enough to put this stylish dude near the top of our best-dressed Super Bowl player list.

The 5 Worst Fashion Offenders:
That not all NFL stars have off-the-field style, can be seen by this list below. We took a closer look at all the Super Bowl players’ personal style and award these five men with a “Worst Dressed” title. Looks like San Francisco takes it yet again by a big margin, 4:1. Click on each player below to see what Fashion Faux pas earned them their spot on our list.

Ravens Terrell Suggs put himself on this worst dressed list thanks to his recent “black tie” that would make Cary Grant turn in his grave. Wrong colors, a sloppy untied bow tie, and a stripes on his sleeves that remind us of adidas sponsorship are just the starting point of his black tie fashion Paux Fas.

49er Frank Gore loves his sweat pants and beanie look. While certainly a reasonable choice during practice or post game recovery, we would like to see him wear things a bit more stylish on occasion. No matter where we looked, we could only find images of him dressed in sweats, hoodies, and 49er beanie.

Anquan Boldin makes the cut for worst-dressed thanks to the Lei he wore during a Press Conference. Yes, years have passed since, but we still have no idea of what this accessory was all about?

Ravens Matt Birk convinced us that be belongs on this list due to his poorly chosen patterns that not only clash frequently, but also do not compliment his large frame.

Ravens Ed Reed gets a spot on our worst dressed list thanks to his unkempt facial hair, poor suit colors, and terribly-wrong tailored suits.

Your Bows-N-Ties.com Team

The Ranking of the Best Dressed Bonds

James Bond is a world renowned double agent who has influenced generation after generation with this machismo swagger, classic black tie attire, and his cultured inclinations toward the finer things in life. He has been a fashion icon since his debut in the sixties. We’ve done a detailed ranking of the five best-dressed James Bonds of all time.

#1 Daniel Craig
With the newest Bond film Skyfall debuting, we are proud to announce that Daniel Craig is the Best Dressed James Bond of All Time. Craig fits a tuxedo like nobody’s business and possess an ability to always one up the style of the other Bond men. Craig is redefining out tuxedos and suits should fit with every new movie.

#2 Sean Connery
Sean Connery epitomizes James Bond as he was the first actor to star as the double agent in Dr. No in 1962. Sean Connery gave the character an unrivaled dose of swagger with the stark white pleated button downs, the small black bowties (known as “bat wings”) and the tailored tuxedos.

#3 Pierce Brosnan
Pierce Brosnan took over the role of the venerated James Bond in 1995 with the movie GoldenEye. Brosnan has always been at the forefront of tailored and cultured fashion and he brought that to his role as Bond. Due to the plots, Brosnan had to incorporate a cold weather style into the Bond swagger. He did that with oversized but tailored pieces.

#4 Roger Moore
Roger Moore made a marvelous James Bond and holds the record of starring in the most Bond movies. Moore was able to put the Ivory Dinner Jacket and the black bow tie on the fashion map. Moore experimented with the Bond character and added a casual angle to the complex character.

#5 Timothy Dalton
Timothy Dalton starred as the much beloved James Bond from 1987 to 1994 and in that era, he made 007 resonate with a coolness that was very much a part of the era with wide lapels, looser fits and a more casual take on menswear fashion. Dalton is the fifth best dressed Bond of All Time and a large part of that is due to the over-fortunate styles popular in the early nineties.

Daniel Craig is The Best Dressed Bond

There’s no question that James Bond is one of the best-known film characters of all time. Bond is a veritable style icon, and will be known as such throughout the rest of history. This being said, there have been a great deal of different actors who have played Bond over the years and not everyone has been on the same tier in terms of style. The new Bond film Skyfall is debuting in theaters next week starring Daniel Craig. Craig is the newest to play the famous Bond and is also our number one pick for the Best Dressed Bond of All Time.

A Different Take on The Tuxedo

James Bond is defined by his tuxedo and his black tie. The Bond tuxedo has transformed with the style of the times and Daniel Craig has taken the tuxedo to the most modern and minimalistic level yet. Craig opts for a streamlined tuxedo that features single buttons and slim peak lapels. In addition to the modern details, the tuxedo is dynamically tailored to fit like a glove. The tailoring is somewhat reminiscent of the tuxedos that Connery made famous with an elevated and modern twist. Craig suits and tuxedos have a precise and tailored silhouette that trademarks him as the best dressed Bond.

Mixing Colors

Craig knows how to switch things up and incorporate color into the Bond role. In Casino Royal, he wore a black tuxedo whereas in Quantum of Solace he opted for a more unique midnight blue design and shifted the focus of his lapels to a shawl. The mother of pearl buttons on Craig’s shirt made his ensemble shine with a coolness that only Bond could pull off. A white linen handkerchief perfectly played off of this ensemble’s bow tie, proving once again that Craig has a penchant for putting together ensemble elements that contrast with one another perfectly.

Takeaways for the Modern Man

If you’re looking to imitate a modern Bond style, emulate Daniel Craig. Craig is the best dressed Bond because he has built upon the iconic character and made it his own. He wears a perfectly tailored tuxedo and he’s not afraid to mix some colors into the equation. The modern man can learn a lot from how Craig so effortlessly is able to move between different styles of his ensembles. Congratulations to Daniel Craig for being the best dressed Bond.

Sean Connery is The Second Best Dressed Bond

Without doubt, James Bond is one of the most well-known film characters of all time. Bond films are a global sensation that have influenced a genre of spy films and plots of good versus evil. There have been a number of actors to have starred as James Bond but we venture to say that Sean Connery is the one and only that epitomizes Bond. With each new 007 movie, the debates starts again about who plays the best Bond and who is the best dressed double agent. Connery is our favorite Bond actor and our second favorite for best dressed falling just a dapper step behind Daniel Craig.

The Pleated Shirt

Sean Connery’s Bond character was no stranger to the tuxedo. Indeed, he made this a huge part of his look. Ironically, the main aspect of Connery’s tuxedos that truly stood out were the pleated dress shirts he wore underneath the jacket. The pleats were a subtle and elegant element that helped defined Connery’s revered sexiness. The shirts were also a trademark stark white adding to the dramatic contrast between the black tuxedo and the white shirt. The pleated white shirt is rarely seen but when it is pulled up well- it looks sensational.

The Small Bow Tie

The solid black bow tie is synonymous with James Bond and neither would be considered as cool as they are without the other. We couldn’t answer the question of: Does the bow tie make Bond cool or does Bond make the bow tie cool? The only thing we can say is that the Bow Tie and Bond have a symbiotic relationship. Connery took a unique approach to the bow tie opting for a relatively small design, known as the bat-wing bow tie, for the style of the time. A small bow tie adds something extra chic to a tuxedo. Connery pulled this look off perfectly creating an uber balanced look that people have been copying for generations. For more information please check out our Bow Tie Style Guide.

Takeaways for the Modern Man

Modern men who consider themselves to be fashion adventurous can gain a lot from imitating Connery’s Bond. It takes some bravado to wear but if done right, the pleated shirt will definitely raise your sexy quota. Be sure to stick with a stark white pleated dress shirt to prevent the chance of looking ironic and outdated. Experiment with smaller bow ties to emulate a retro-esque Bond.

Timothy Dalton is the Fifth Best Dressed Bond

Fans of the 007 James Bond series of films tend to be extremely biased regarding which Bond is their favorite. After all, a variety of different actors have taken on the role over the years, most of whom have not only done a fantastic job, but have given Bond their very own brand of specialized swagger. James Bond is arguably the best-dressed film character of all time and has been an iconic beacon of manliness for many generations. While it’s difficult to say who was the best Bond, Timothy Dalton is certainly in the running. Dalton played the role of Bond from 1987 to 1994 and his approach and style is a direct reflection of that era’s aesthetic. We place Dalton on the 5th spot on our Top 5 Most Stylish James Bond List, and have broken down a list of Dalton’s most stylistic moves.

The Wide Lapel

Timothy Dalton’s Bond put wide lapels on the map. Each Bond has taken their own approach on fits, shapes and silhouettes of 007’s trademark suits and tuxedos. Dalton most definitely “out-lapeled” the other actors and wins the award for the largest lapels ever. Lapel width all comes down to proportion and a large lapel is the right choice for a large man with a wide chest and broad shoulders. Dalton filled out his suits and dinner jackets and his large lapels and did it in style and in proportion.

C’est la Vie to the Tie

Like Roger Moore, Timothy Dalton decided to say c’est la vie to the tie and therefore giving James Bond a more informal and pedestrian aesthetic. This was perhaps the biggest difference between Dalton and most of the other Bonds, as it added a huge casual element to the character’s overall appearance. While the tie (and bow tie, of course) certainly looks fantastic on Bond, dropping it added a “devil may care” element that helped him to take on an entirely different side of Bond. Dalton was able to breath more depth into the Bond role by breaking the rules and losing the tie. Losing the tie is not always the right choice, but it worked perfectly when Dalton took on the role.

Takeaways for the Modern Man

Take a lesson from Timothy Dalton and know when to break the rules. Dalton opted for a more informal look in his role of Bond which allowed him to explore a different, more casual angle. That’s not to say that Dalton didn’t look dynamite in a tuxedo and bow tie when the situation called for it. The modern man needs to remember to break away from their everyday fashion tendencies now and again to allow some new habits and looks to form. The trend right now is leaning towards leaner, slimmer lapels but unfortunately, a man’s silhouette is always trumps the trends. Men with broad builds should also opt for a larger lapel of balance and proportion.

Other Stylish Bonds:
Most Stylish James Bond: Daniel Craig
2nd Best Dressed Bond: Sean Connery

The Votes are In for The Promising Cities!

We searched America in pursuit of new fashion talent. New York, Los Angeles and San Francisco have been stealing all the attention away from burgeoning fashion communities all throughout America. After plenty of research, we are absolutely thrilled to introduce what we consider to be the Top Five Most Promising Cities for Fashion in America.

Number One: Winston Salem, NC
Winston Salem is putting their own spin on Southern Gentleman Style making them the Number One Promising City in America for Fashion. They have a burgeoning style that mixes and matches hipster pieces with classic menswear suiting. We are awe-struck by the creativity put into the menswear culture in Winston Salem and can’t wait to get back to see more. Click here to read the full story.

Number Two: Irvine, CA
Move over Los Angeles, Irvine is getting competitive with fashion. This fashionable city has taken “Dressy Casual” to a new level and has incorporated a punchy palette into their menswear style. Southern Californian style has always been uniquely casual but Irvine has added a sense of prestige to denim jeans and graphic tees. Here are all the reasons why Irvine is one of the most promising fashion cities in the US.

Number Three: Charleston, SC
Southern charm has never looked as good as it does in Charleston, South Carolina. We didn’t know what to expect from Charleston -but they certainly impressed us with their zealous use of color and accessories. We loved the innovation we saw of mixing and matching different suits with inky hued accessories. Check out our entire report on Fashion in Charleston.

Number Four: Boulder, CO
Boulder has always been considered a gorgeously pristine town tucked into the Rocky Mountains. But not until recently has it been considered fashion savvy. Boulder is putting their own authentic spin on Mountain Chic fashion that combines both form and function. Boulder has shown that fashion can thrive in winter. Check out the full scoop on Boulder’s Fashion Scene

Number Five: Bellevue, WA
Bellevue has been considered the satellite city of Seattle but they seem eager to establish themselves independently from Seattle. This youthful suburb has mastered the art of business casual attire by incorporating hipster fashion into their tailored business suits. And we absolutely loved Bellevue’s use of neck ties in their weekday and weekend ensembles. Here is our entire report on Fashion & Style in Bellevue.

By Ashley Child
Fashion Critic, Blogger, & World Traveler

Fashion in the NFL: The Five Best Dressed NFL Stars of 2012

The fact that sports stars know how to dress well while off the court should be nothing new. Some might argue that it is their eccentric personality that inspires these stylish, but sometimes over-the-top, clothing choices. Others think that constantly being the center of attention naturally brings out a healthy dose of vanity. Whatever the reasons may be, there is no arguing that sports starts are among the best dressed celebrities – a reality that has inspired us on many occasions to take a closer look at their clothing choices. This time around we focused our attention on the NFL. After looking through hundreds of images, readings dozens of articles, and viewing hours of video footage we created this “TOP 5 Best Dressed NFL Player List of 2012″.

#1 Victor Cruz
Mr. Cruz has already received a “Best Dressed” awards from GQ as well as Esquire, and although we did our best to not let our-self get influenced by these prestigious style awards, we couldn’t argue with these other style critics’ decisions. Wherever we looked we found images of a dapper dressed Victor Cruz. He is equally familiar with single, as well as double-breasted suits. He rocks trendy skinny ties as much as dapper self-tied bow ties, and when it comes to accessorizing he impressed us with everything a well dressed man’s wardrobe could offer: Pocket squares, cufflinks, tie bars, trendy colored socks, unique footwear, murses, eye-wear, and so on. For more information, please read the entire article titled: “Victor Cruz: Best Dressed Man in the NFL“.

#2 Tom Brady
Victor Cruz and Tom Brady are not just rivals on the field. When it comes to fashion and style, as well as being the “best dressed”, they are certainly challenging each other. It was not an easy decision to place Mr. Brady on the second spot on our best dressed list. After all his immaculate three piece suits, his perfect use of patterned pocket squares, and his approach to the classic black tie dress code were nothing short of impressive. Here is the full story titled “Tom Brady: 2nd Best Dressed NFL Player in 2012“

#3 Reggie Bush
Reggie Bush not only impresses us on the field. His style is certainly not to be ignored. Some might argue that Kim Kardashian is to credit for Bush’s wardrobe that appears to be filled with stylish 3-piece suits, cardigan sweaters, a wide range of stylish neckties, unique footwear, Bold overcoats, and much more. To read the entire story on Reggie Bush’s style, please click here…

#4 Larry Fitzgerald
Even Gossip Girl’s Chuck Bass can learn a thing or two about fashion simply by looking at Larry Fitzgerald’s outfits. Without doubt Mr. Fitzgerald deserves a solid spot on our best dressed list. What impresses us most is Fitzgerald’s use of multiple patterns on a single outfit. He is a fan of the polka dot tie, tied with a perfectly dimpled double Windsor. From 3-piece suits, wide spread collared dress shirts, and unimaginably large array of pattern combinations, Fitgerald’s approach to fashion & style earns him a solid 4th place on our best dressed list. Here is the full story on Fitzgerald’s personal fashion & style.

#5 Cam Newton
Even though Cam Newton is just in his second season, he is already turning heads – and that not just on the field. What probably stands out the most to us are the bold patterned, and bright colored bow ties Newton has been spotted wearing this year. Add to this the fact that Newton has been featured on the cover of GQ magazine dressed in a skinny tie and a tweed sports coat, and there should be no doubt that he deserves a spot on this list. For more information and pictures, check out our entire story on Cam Newton’s Fashion & Style.

Your Bows’N Ties Fashion Team

Muhammad Ali Jinnah known as the Father of Pakistan was a true fashionista at heart owning more than 200 perfectly tailored suits.

It’s not uncommon for people who have a strong interest in fashion to tend to pick apart the way celebrities and otherwise famous individuals dress. After all, fashion can have a strong impact on how a person is perceived, and those who tend to be in the public eye owe it to themselves to do everything possible in order to look their best. While there have been plenty of world leaders throughout history who’ve dressed in a relatively poor manner, others are among the most well-dressed men in the history of the public sphere, and a great deal of their success often had to do with the way they looked. Muhammad Ali Jinnah (founder of Pakistan) was one such individual, as he was not only loved by his countrymen, but also considered by many to be among the best-dressed individuals of his era. The following are just a few reasons why Jinnah was considered to be so well-dressed, as well as how the modern man can incorporate aspects of Jinnah’s appearance into their own look. You can see a full list of who we can consider to be the Best Dressed leaders of all time.

The Monocle

Muhammad Ali Jinnah was known for his penchant for fashion and he used menswear accessories to highlight and accentuate his trademark aesthetic. Jinnah was a huge fan of the monocle, a piece that really helped to define his look. While monocles were not unheard of at the time, Jinnah was one of the few world leaders to wear one with such prominence, and he truly made the look his own. Monocles were not only used for their functional purposes, but were worn also as status symbols. It’s no secret that Jinnah had a great deal of wealth at the time of his peak prominence, and the monocle he wore served to showcase not only his wealth but also his interest in accessories and fashion.

A Wide Collection of Tailored Suits

One of the main reasons why Muhammad Ali Jinnah is considered to be one of the most well-dressed men in history has to do with the fact that he was a huge supporter and wearer of the well-tailored suit. Never one to sit back and wear whatever came through the door, Jinnah purportedly owned a collection of over 200 tailored suits, and would wear a different piece each day. As a result, Jinnah’s outfits were always unique; he rarely appeared wearing the same thing more than once. In a time when poverty ran rampant, Jinnah was one of the few the was able to partake in the wondrous ways of fashion. Congratulations to Muhammad Ali Jinnah for being voted the Fifth Best Dressed World Leader of all-time.

Takeaways for the Modern Man

Modern men can learn quite a bit from how Muhammad Ali Jinnah dressed. With vintage fashion making a huge comeback, the monocle doesn’t have to be a novelty item anymore and it can look fantastic with the proper ensemble. Most people would never dream to own 200 suits but to modernize Jinnah’s aesthetic, you should mix and match your menswear pieces to create a new and innovative look on the daily basis. Don’t get caught in the trap of wearing the same look everyday and take the initiative to switch up your look and accessorize with unexpected pieces.

You might enjoy the below articles:
The Worst Dressed Dictators of All Time.
The Worlds Five Most Stylish Cities.

Your Bows-N-Ties Team

Anthony Eden defined top notch fashion with this signature look of a double breasted waistcoat and a homburg hat.

There have been a great deal of world leaders throughout history that have turned heads with the way they dressed throughout their careers. After all, dressing one’s best is an essential part of appealing to a nation, and should never be underestimated. While not all world leaders can measure up, many of those who have been immensely successful in their careers were also among the best-dressed individuals to ever walk into the public spotlight. Perhaps one of the most well-dressed world leaders of all time was Sir Anthony Eden (Lord Avon). Eden is recognized to this day for his penchant for style, and is considered to have changed the fashion landscape for leaders that came after him not only in his native nation of Britian, but around the world as well. The following are just a few important aspects of Eden’s style to take into consideration, all of which can help to make your own style more attractive, dapper and defined. Take a gander at our breakdown of the five best dressed leaders.

The Double-Breasted Waistcoat

Eden had quite a few secret weapons in his wardrobe, but it was the double-breasted waistcoat that truly set him apart from his contemporaries. More often than not, Anthony Eden would pair this piece with a single-breasted jacket that featured rather wide lapels, which added the perfect amount of textural contrast to his ensembles. The suits and waistcoats he wore were exceptionally well-tailored, fitting his figure in a way that could only be described as “perfect.” Since Eden was a relatively lean and fit man and the tailored waistcoat accentuated his muscular silhouette and his manly demeanor.

The Black Homburg Hat

It should come as no surprise that Anthony Eden was no stranger to accessorization, which was made quite apparent by the way he wore his Homburg hat. The Homburg hat had gone out of style prior to Eden’s rise to prominence, and he is credited in helping to assist in its fashion revival and rejuvenation. The hat looked especially well-placed and attractive when paired with his double-breasted waistcoat/single-breasted suit combination, resulting in an ensemble that could not have looked more well-planned and thought-out. It’s fair to say that without the influence of Anthony Eden, the black homburg hat may never have been brought back into men’s fashion. And lets face it, Breaking Bad wouldn’t quite be the same without the Black Homburg Hat.

Takeaways for the Modern Man

Modern men can get a lot out of pairing a double-breasted waistcoat with a single-breasted suit coat in order to create a tight, cohesive ensemble that can be perfectly accented with the proper tie. This “vintage” look is ideal for today’s modern fashion landscape, as retro fashion is very much in style at the moment. This being the case, the Homburg Hat is also an ideal piece to be either paired with the above ensemble or worn with other types of outfits, and can look good on just about anyone. By shopping at a store that specializes in selling vintage clothing, you may be able to find all of these pieces without spending an arm and a leg on new items; perfect for the fashion-forward man who must also be conscious of his budget. Anthony Eden is a staple fashion icon that we should always remember. Another great leader with great style is Winston Churchhill.

You might enjoy taking a gander at these related articles:
The Best and Worst Dressed Outfits at the 2012 Olympics.
London Is The 4th Most Fashionable City in the World.

Your Bows-N-Ties Team

Third place for Best Dressed Leader goes to the well-loved and impeccably dressed Nelson Mandela.

Just about everyone knows Nelson Mandela’s name, although it’s not uncommon for those who don’t follow politics to not necessarily be familiar with the man and his career. The fact is, Mandela has one of the most storied pasts of any politician in history, and has truly been through a great deal of strife throughout his career. Bearing this in mind, the man also happens to be extremely fashionable, even well into his 80s. The importance of being well-dressed cannot be overemphasized for those who take on leadership roles, and Mandela clearly knows this quite well given the way he has dressed throughout his career. Consider the following aspects of Mandela’s look, all of which you might be able to actually incorporate into your own look depending upon how you tend to dress. Mandela is an innovator of big ideas and creative fashion ensembles.

The Mandela Suit

When it comes to Nelson Mandela’s fashion, a lot of people consider the look he embraced as a young man to be his most attractive. Indeed, Mandela looked nothing short of stunning in the suits he wore during his younger days, which were completely unique in their own right and didn’t look anything like what was being worn by his contemporaries. For example, the suits that Mandela usually wore tended to feature extremely wide lapels; wider, perhaps, than 90% of suits that can be found on the market today. This being said, the wide lapels worked perfectly when it came to framing Mandela’s silhouette, resulting in an exceptionally attractive look that would be difficult to recreate today. And Mandela knew how to accessorize a get-up with jazzy ties and perfectly folded pocket squares. Another leader who made it into our list of top five dressers for wearing the perfect suit is Kofi Annan.

The Casual Transition

A lot of people know Nelson Mandela’s look as being quite a bit different from the wide-lapeled suits he wore as a young man. Indeed, Mandela’s years as being an activist led him to wear much brighter colors that were symbolic of Africa, which can be seen in a great deal of photos taken throughout the second half of his career. Mandela’s penchant for bright, prominent colors helped to show his solidarity and prominence as an African, and many people consider them to be symbolic of the causes he stood for. Nelson Mandela has embraced a more casual yet stylish aesthetic through the years without losing his high level of sophistication.

Takeaways for the Modern Man

Modern men who are looking to take their style to the next level can learn quite a bit from Mandela. While the wide lapels that he wore in his younger days aren’t exactly in style any longer, a smart suit never does anyone wrong. Be sure to follow Mandela’s example of accessorizing all your suits with patterned ties and solid colored pocket squares. If you’re more into the colorful pieces he is known for wearing, however, you can get a lot out of checking into the new 466/64 fashion line that has been directly inspired by Mandela’s look. While he may not be involved himself, you can rest easy knowing that the pieces were designed specifically to achieve the same look and feel of the clothing Mandela has been known so well for wearing. If you wish to read more, please take a look at our breakdown of Best Dressed Leaders.

If you ever wanted to compare opposites, we suggest reading our article about Muammar Gaddafi and his fashion woes.

Your Bows-N-Ties Team