The Best Jeans For Your Body

When shopping for jeans, do you feel like you spend a lot of time with few successes? Trying on pair after pair of ill-fitting jeans can be a rather deflating experience for your ego. If you know your body type, however, and the styles that flatter it best, you can save loads of time and self-esteem. To figure out which jeans will work for you and help to cut down your shopping time, read on.

The Cut

Straight cut

Straight-cut jeans typically sit at your natural waist and are slim through the seat and thighs. The fabric should skim your silhouette and the leg should be long, tapering off gradually and slightly at the ankle. This style of jean is classic, and if you have the body to wear them, straight-cut jeans can pretty much be paired with anything.

Flare cut

Also known as boot-cut jeans and originally designed to be worn with cowboy boots, this cut is very flattering for many body types. Typically, flare-cut styles should sit just below your natural waist and should be slightly loose through the leg. From the knee to the ankle, these jeans become slightly wider or “flare” out. A bonus is that these jeans will never go out of style and it’s so easy to dress them up for a date or the office.

Wide leg

Like flared jeans, wide-leg jeans often sit at your natural waist or just below it, but the seat and thighs of these jeans will have a relaxed or quite loose fit. Back pockets may be larger and deeper on this style of jean. Wide-leg jeans usually have a straight, slightly tapered cut from the thigh to the ankle, but they are very loose through the leg so that the shape of your body is not as easily discernible.

Low rise

The defining feature of low-rise jeans is that they sit below your natural waistline, often on the hip bones. Low-rise jeans can be straight cut, slim fit, bootleg or wide leg. It’s best to wear low-rise jeans with a longer shirt, otherwise your midriff will be visible anytime you move your arms — while girls might be able to get away with belly-baring jeans and short T-shirts at the bar, this look is never a good one for men.

Now that you know all about cuts, find out which one suits your body best...

Body Type

Tall and lean

Straight-cut jeans will flatter this body type best. If you are blessed with a great physique, jeans with a flat front and straight leg will show off your body to its best advantage. Boot-cut jeans are another option for this body type — particularly if you have wider hips — as a flared cut will balance your shape, creating a straighter, streamlined look. Tall and lean men can also carry off wide-leg jeans, but be aware that they will look very casual on this body type and are therefore better-suited for weekends than the office.

Slender

If you are slim and of average height, avoid jeans that adhere too closely to your body unless you like the starving-artist look. Steer clear of wide-leg jeans as well, as you risk looking lost in your clothes. For your most flattering look, choose straight-cut, low-rise jeans that sit comfortably and low on the hips with a couple of extra inches of room through the leg. Slightly flared jeans also flatter slender figures by creating the illusion of a better defined silhouette. For a more ample-looking rear, look for back pockets with flaps or extra material as this will add bulk to your behind.

Athletic

Athletic and muscular types look best in jeans with a wider leg since looser cuts show off the shape of a toned body. Jeans cut too close to the body are not as good a choice for muscular shapes as they can make muscles appear overly bulky. Wider-leg jeans, however, will subtly show off all your hard-earned gym work. Additionally, to show off your butt or give it a more round shape, choose back pockets that are smaller and further apart.

Heavy-set

Larger frames should stay away from flare-cut jeans as these jeans will make heavier men appear larger. Wide-leg styles, however, are really great for concealing physical flaws. If there is a little more of you to love, this style will hide love handles and thick waists. Be careful not to choose styles that are too baggy, however, as they will make larger bodies appear even larger. Instead, choose a loose shape with a few extra inches of room to show the shape of your body without hugging your frame too closely. As well, larger, deeper pockets will make your butt look smaller and are therefore a good choice for heavier frames. Another way to conceal a larger behind is to look for pockets that are closer together. 

Hopefully by now you have a better idea of which jeans are suitable for your body type and your next shopping trip should be much more efficient. A word to the wise: Once you find jeans that fit you perfectly, buy more than one pair. Get rid of other jeans that don’t fit as well and replace your new jeans with a reserved pair about once a year when they fade and the bottoms become scruffy.

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Men's Fashion - Top 10 Colors for Fall 2014

Pantone's Report for the Top 10 Men's Color Trends for Fall 2014

There has been a gradual shift towards a unisex color palette in recent seasons—and fall 2014 is no exception. Similar to the women’s palette, this season’s men’s collections have also been inspired by a need to explore—traveling back in time or into the unknown—resulting in a more adventurous use of color, especially through combinations.

Exotic Sangria invigorates the men’s palette while Aurora Red adds a sophisticated spark to any winter wardrobe. Pair Aurora Red with Cognac, a tasteful brown, for a confident and high-profile look. Cognac will also be popular with more vibrant shades in the palette, including Misted Yellow, which adds a touch of optimism to cold weather ensembles.

Both Radiant Orchid, a fascinating purple, and Bright Cobalt blue will be quintessential statement colors this season—bold and charismatic shades prevalent in everything from sportswear to shoes. Pair these hues with Sea Fog, a more masculine representation of Mauve Mist, for a powerfully poised fall look.

Combine Aluminum, a complex silvery shade, with versatile, elegant Royal Blue and bracing Cypress. These hues will undoubtedly play an integral role in men’s fashion this fall, serving as staple hues for outerwear and formalwear throughout the cooler months.

For more than 20 years, Pantone, the global authority on color, has surveyed the designers of New York Fashion Week and beyond to bring you the season’s most important color trends. This report previews the most prominent hues for fall 2014.

Is Coffee a Good Pre Workout?

A Special Thank You to

Kyle "The Muscle Maximizer" Leon

It seems that research is backing up the use of coffee as a pre-workout drink for a number of different reasons. If you look at just about any pre-workout drink, you're going to find some sort of stimulant. Since ephedra was banned, it's fairly likely that the exact stimulant that you'll find is going to be caffeine.

That's exactly what's in coffee. What you won't find in coffee is artificial flavors, sweeteners or a ton of calories: just good old fashioned caffeine along with serious antioxidant power and a nice, rich, wake-me-up flavor.

Coffee Boosts Fat Burning

A neat little trick that was discovered during research is that coffee triggers your body to burn fat instead of glycogen for energy during a workout. This means that you're quite literally burning fat while you're working without having to burn through your glycogen stores first.

Coffee Increases Mental Clarity

One of the benefits of caffeine is that it helps you to focus on the task at hand. When you're working out, that means that you can concentrate more easily on performing each exercise precisely and completely without your mind wandering off in a million directions.

Coffee Decreases Pain

Caffeine affects a system in your brain and spine that deals with pain, which is why it may help reduce muscle pain and burn during workouts. A study conducted at the University of Illinois in 2009 supports this. College-age men were first given a placebo before hitting the cycles, then a week later were given a caffeine pill before cycling. Significant reduction in calf pain during exercise was reported during the caffeine phase of the study.

This could help you work out longer and harder without experiencing muscle pain and burn that can reduce the number of reps or the amount of weight that you can lift. That's a pretty big bonus to any workout plan!

Caffeine Improves Performance

When you look at the combination of increased energy and focus and decreased workout pain, caffeine is bound to improve your performance. This leap in logic is supported by numerous studies, which show that caffeine consumption (with as little as one cup) can increase performance by about 12%.

Possible Downsides of Drinking Coffee as a Pre-Workout

If you're extremely sensitive to caffeine, drinking coffee may not be for you. Also, coffee is a diuretic. While that's great if you're retaining water, it's not-so-great when you're trying to hydrate your body during and after a workout.

I give a nice strong, black cup of coffee a 2 thumbs up for an inexpensive alternative to a traditional pre-workout!