Hello Hauteness

Along with the bow tie, oxfords and the fedora, I have recently noticed the return to popularity of cufflinks in menswear.  I love the polished, finished look that is achieved thanks to these little pieces of man jewelry!

I decided to do some research into cufflinks because I was curious as to their origin.  Turns out, according to Wikipedia, that it was during the reign of Louis XIV when shirt sleeves began to be fastened by identical pairs of colored glass buttons joined by a short chain.  Up until that point, sleeve cuffs were literally just held by strings.  I definitely think it’s safe to say that this particular accessory has been around for a while.

Even though I don’t wear this particular piece of jewelry, I decided to surf the web for a few pairs that I would wear if I were a man (I say that line a lot on this blog…hmmmm).



This blog is about as simple as they come.  Nerd Boyfriend posts an image of a celebrity or well-known character (from a movie, tv show, etc.) and then gives you images of the items you need to create this look.  All you have to do is click on the images to purchase the items and look like the perfect “nerd boyfriend”.

This blog first caught my eye in a blogroll because of the name.  How could it not?!  Every girl wants a guy with a nerdy side.  We may not want the Revenge of the Nerds version of a nerd, but we respect a guy that is smart and a little dorky because well, we are a little dorky.  I always have an appreciation for a guy that has a certain something about his style…even if that certain something is nerdiness.  If he wears it with confidence, it’s appealing.

If I was a guy I would be all over this site.  I just like to look at it for eye candy but I wanted to share it with my male readers so you could check it out and hopefully be inspired.

An example of what they post from their May 26th entry on Buster Keaton.  Two words:  Love.  It.

As I mentioned earlier, my newest designer purchase is a fabulous pair of Chanel eyeglasses that I might as well refer to as “my babies” because I treat them as such.  The love I have for these glasses has led me to notice everyone else’s frames with greater appreciation.  I somehow forgot just how distinctive an accessory a pair of great frames can be.  What’s interesting is that, while I typically notice what women are wearing because…well, I am a woman and I can identify, I find myself drawn to the styles that I’m seeing on men.

There are so many great retro styles out there right now that I’m really loving the chic nerd look that the male gender is going for.  Afterall, these are not just your basic wire frames.  These are statement-making looks…and they only work on men that know how to rock them.

From the round “Where’s Waldo” look to the squared off 50’s “Buddy Holly” style, the old plastic frames are no longer old nor are they worn only by those who wore them when they were first in style in the 50’s and 60’s who never abandoned the look.  My late grandfather was one of those that just kept wearing the style as it went in and out of fashion…and back in again.  Gotta love it!

Johnny Depp, Jay Z and Justin Timberlake have proudly shown off their specs on the red carpet.  Back in the day, James Dean and Michael Caine made glasses a part of their signature look.  Some of the best photographs of the men that define cool, past and present, show them wearing this distinctive accessory.  Can you imagine Spike Lee without his specs?  When you think of Kevin Costner in JFK, what comes to mind?

Glasses make the look.  Am I right or am I right?

If you’re interested in finding a vintage frame, or at least a reproduction, then check out this site I came across:  EyeGlass Boy.  If it’s retro, they’ve got it for men AND women.  Trying…not…to…look.  Just…bought…Chanel…

So guys, even if you have 20/20 vision, consider a nice, geeky pair of plastic frames.  You’ll be surprised how cool you look, and feel, in them.