Omar

I think black is more versatile. It goes with anything. I think it was GQ that put it like this: "Black shoes are like whispering; you'll never speak out of turn, but you won't be heard too much either. Brown shoes are a bold, loud statement." That said, I like brown shoes. Except with dark jeans; I find black shoes just look better in my eyes. Maybe a more tan shoe than I've got would be better, but I haven't a shoe like that. I'd say black is more classic, but it doesn't fit with most neutrals, and they make up most of my wardrobe. Brown is more versatile for me. From the looks OP posted, I gather he's got the same taste in colors. I'll have to buy gray desert boots if I ever want to put black jeans on again. Boutonnieres aren't for formal events alone. I think that's ridiculous. It's the same as a pocket square, although definitely bolder and necessitating proper care. It's a detail. A pocket square ups the style factor from just a tie, a flower ups it even higher. Wearing a tie, pocket square and flower in your lapel would certainly be overkill, I bet we'd both agree there. In fact, I think a boutonniere would look best alone, with the shirt unbuttoned once or twice. They're not for formal events only but they're very rarely worn anywhere else. That's why they would look out of place to me. Besides, I'm not a fan of jackets without ties, let alone jackets with a boutonnière without a tie... But, in the end, it's all opinions. I liked your explanation of the jackets, though. It doesn't matter much, but it's nice to know the proper differences. I'll add to it that a reply to Shiny. Since suits and blazers have widely varied fits (think sack suits VS Dior skinny suits, or blazers by the same crowds), you can't really base the names on fit. OP, check out J.Press for Urban Outfitters. It's a traditional Ivy League brand, and that specific collection is a lot more affordable. I wouldn't consider J.Crew or Banana Republic good stuff, but that's only from what I've heard. I do concur with Lent on the fact that thrifting will be a solid help, especially in the US. Check out An Affordable Wardrobe's shop, I'm sure you'll find something you love and the owner seems to have the same build as you. It's also very easy on the wallet, and I can vouch for the quality myself. http://anaffordablewardrobe.bigcartel.com/ [Edit] I just asked the blog writer to start stocking thrift find that don't fit him. We'll see where this goes; fingers crossed!

Post them with the matching song (in hide tags please, I don't want this thread to take me forever to load), and if you feel like it explain why you did. Awesome lyrics get bonus points, bad lyrics are no fun. [Edit] Actually, only post great lyrics.

Explain yourself...

Blazers are meant to be worn on their own. Sports jackets are roughly constructed in the same way but they often use heavier, casual fabrics (corduroy or tweed for example). Suit jackets are blazers that come with pants. Don't wear a boutonniere if you're not going to a very formal event, it'll be out of place. Don't hesitate to pop a pocket square in though. Blake, those shoes are deep brown, I think. Regardless, I wouldn't look to RRL's models for style cues.

You can only wear black with black suits, you can wear brown with navy, gray, khaki... The coat I'm getting for this winter.

Brown's more versatile.

Only if they're tight. I have one and I hate wearing it, but I have a chunkier black one and it's pretty manly. It's in the details (buttons, collar, etc). Besides, Lord Cardigan was a man. Scorchedddd, I wouldn't get all dress shoes. Get some casual kicks. Don't worry about being risky.

Frankly, I'm still unconvinced. What you wrote will probably do, but I think you could do better, and then she'd actually go nuts. I'm no songwriter, but I think you should use more metaphors in your lyrics. [hide=Messes of Men - mewithoutYou]"I do not exist," we faithfully insist, Sailing in our separate ships and from each tiny caravel. Tiring of trying, there's a necessary dying, Like the horseshoe crab in its proper season sheds its shell. Such distance from our friends, Like a scratch across the lens, Made everything look wrong from anywhere we stood. And our paper blew away before we'd left the bay. So half-blind, we wrote these songs on sheets of salty wood. Caught me making eyes at the other boatman's wives, And heard me laughing louder at the jokes told by their daughters. I'd set my course for land, but you well understand, It takes a steady hand to navigate adulterous waters. The propeller's spinning blades held acquaintance with the waves, As there's mistakes I've made no rowing could outrun. The cloth low on the mast, I say I got no past, I'm nonetheless the librarian and secretary's son. The tarnish on my brass, the mildew on my glass- I'd never want someone so crass as to want someone like me. But a few leagues off the shore, I bit a flashing lure, And I assure you, it was not what I expected it to be! I still tastes its kiss, that dull hook in my lip Is a memory as useless as a rod without a reel. To an anchor ever dropped, sea-sick yet still docked, Captain spotted napping with his first mate at the wheel. Floating forgetfully along, with no need to be strong, We keep our confessions long, but when we pray we keep it short. I drank a thimble full of fire, I'm not ever coming back... Oh, my God. "I do not exist," we faithfully insist, While watching sink the heavy ship with everything we knew. And if ever you come near, I'll hold up high a mirror. Lord, I could never show you anything as beautiful as you![/hide] These lyrics have been stuck in my head for over a month; as you can see, they're not from a love song (the first are about leaving God and finding yourself helpless, the second are about sin and repentance, and they each have a theme: agriculture and sea), so I think this applies to any lyrics you write. Think it through, try to find your own way to say whatever ideas you have. This will help you avoid the cliché trap that you've pretty much fallen in.

Make each thing connected to her idiosyncrasies. Make them her own. "I love the way you listen to me ramble on and on about music, even though I know you hate the music i listen to" is an example from mine. Acknowledges appreciate. That sorta stuff. Exactly. I don't think you've known her for long enough to make a list that long. It's worth trying though, maybe with less items.

It's sort of normal to be needy when you're in a healthy, loving relationship with someone. It's okay in that case, but not if you've been together for two weeks.

Here's your problem.

If it's heartfelt and well written, yes. Don't you mean no? I MEAN WHAT I SAY. But yeah, I meant no.

If it's heartfelt and well written, yes.

Alright, I can take burns, cuts, crushing, mauling and all types of gory things, but eyes and fingernails are off-limits. Makes me squirm.

Don't blame him. Try to help him out.

This guy has a good idea; if you're good at something artisanal or artistic, make her something. You get twenty times the brownie points.

I think record labels receive too much money; artists make next to no money from sales. I'm not going to fund further exploits, that's fore sure... This whole piracy thing will cause a reorganization of the music industry centered on artists, not labels. I'm down for that.

I'm going to say that again. There are 4 people: a) one who knows how to pirate and does it. b) one who knows but doesn't want to. c) one who doesn't know, but would if he could. d) one who doesn't know and doesn't want to. a makes it possible for c and d to pirate through arguing the ethics of it and explaining how it works. More and more people join the ranks of a. This causes b to join a, because everyone's doing it and it seems okay, after all. There are now 4 a-type people. They'll go on to make it easy for other b/c/d-types to download. Less and less people will be buying, so piracy's advertising benefits on the music industry will be replaced by losses.

Limewire shut down? But where will I get my malware-ridden music? The way I see it, right now, piracy is helping sales because it's free advertising, but as it gets more and more accessible to the technologically impaired, the amount of people who buy will gradually get smaller. On top of that, less people will think of it as theft because all their friends are doing it. Piracy will eventually become a real problem as the percentage of people who buy music gets smaller. It's no surprise the RIAA is trying to tackle this now. They're a little behind schedule though, Limewire is so passé...

Negged too far didn't you?

I think she would rather sit at a table for a meal.

I once hid during a music test. Teacher caught me like 3 weeks later though.

I don't party much either, but I still enjoy it a lot. I'm not truly shy, but I'm an introvert. I need my time alone. Maybe she's the same, and she'll get crunk every month or two, and stick with one close friend the rest of the month.

Open the top button, roll, the sleeves or add a v-neck on top... dress it down.

The picture you posted is a pretty good hint. Brown shoes, brown belt, white shirt :P