How to overhaul your appearance before an evening out
From facial hair to reframing your face, these are the best ways to reinvent yourself
Words: Kim Silverman
Whilst many have spent the first days of 2017 scrambling to the gym to sweat out the last of 2016’s indulgences, or shopping to reinvigorate their wardrobes, many simply don’t have the inclination – or time.
But don’t despair. It may sound like wishful thinking, but you can overhaul your appearance with the simplest of twists and changes, shaking things up to breathe new life into old looks. So listen up, gents, the clock may be ticking down to your evening out, but there’s still time to reinvent yourself.
Whoever you intend on meeting, your eyes are the first point of contact, so this is an easy quality to highlight. If you usually wear contacts, you’d be surprised how different you look with your frames on for an evening out. Not convinced with your current frames? Well, if they’re only worn in the office, now is a great excuse to start shopping for an alternative pair.
The right design can literally transform your existing evening outfit, and the suave, geeky look is a guaranteed attention magnet. Of course, this works both ways, so if you’re a regular spectacle wearer, swapping them for contact lenses will completely redefine your face.
The key is to choose a pair that fits your face shape. For round faces, opt for angular frames like Cutler and Gross’s square frames, which help make your face appear less round by adding an angular structure. For more square-shaped faces, you want to soften the defined edges of your jawline using a circular frame, like Oliver People’s vintage collection round frames.
If your face is top heavy with a narrower chin, you have a triangular face shape, and you want to give the illusion of a broader chin and jawline. Try Tom Ford’s classic square-framed option – a safe bet to smarten up any evening event.
For those rocking facial hair, if you find yourself stuck in a rut before going out, try changing that beard or moustache to attract attention to yourself. Whether you go clean-shaven or just style your fulsome beard before your evening out is your decision, but making a change will make a splash.
Studies have shown that sporting stubble not only gives off the most attractive look to the opposite sex, but the full beard was voted the look that would most likely succeed in long-term relationships – so careful with the razor, but by all means trim.
Clean up your lower neck area, fade the beard with a lower setting and, if you’re going for full stubble, finesse those final hairs and cut away any strays.
We’d recommend the Series 7000 vacuum beard trimmer by Philips – a reliable tool that’ll do the job and never nick you. And if you’re running late, this no-mess trimmer catches the hair you trim, saving valuable time.
It may not be as quick a fix as the other tips, but if you’re usually baby-faced, why not try growing some bristles before your next big evening out. Even if they’re not as impressive as you might have hoped for, they’ll inevitably be conversation starters. You’ll thank us, for there’s no denying that sporting a well groomed bed of stubble says you’re the manliest of men.
The gentleman’s dress watch is the one accessory that says almost everything about him. Sean Connery’s 007 is best known for sporting a Rolex Submariner Oyster Perpetual, but the true Bond fans know the superspy had a penchant for other Swiss timepieces, too. Hamilton, Seiko, Omega – and even TAG Heuer were strapped around the wrist of 007 (Timothy Dalton) in The Living Daylights.
Besides simply opting for the renowned Swiss-made timepieces immortalised by 007, selecting your prized watch takes sophisticated skill, and getting it right will land you great respect and admiration. We highly recommend owning at least one quality Swiss timepiece – and keeping it on hand, or should that be wrist, for big evenings out.
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