One of the most heart-breaking images in recent sporting events was the sight of Lori ”Lolo” Jones with her head in her hands, on her knees after the 100-meter hurdles final of the 2008 Summer Olympics. She led the whole race, but clipped the next-to-last hurdle, finishing 7^th. It was an image splayed across sports pages and websites around the world. Why, you ask? Because, it was the Olympics and the stunning woman from Iowa was nearly unstoppable for the previous 4 years. The only positive that came of it is that people began to learn more about the hurdler.

From a hard-scrabble background, the multi-ethnic Jones has been a dominant force in track and field since high school. Her college career at LSU saw her win 11 All-America honors and become a 6-time SEC champion. She found herself the odds-on favorite for the 2008 Games, until clipping the hurdle in the finals. Since then, she’s battled some injuries, but has returned to form just in time for the London Games. Along the way, she found time to pose in the ESPN 2009 Body Issue, tweet a lot, make a few dozen hottest athletes list, and become a presence at start-studded galas, with her taut body (5’ 9”, 130 lbs), and angular, expressive face. Jones enjoys competing, enjoys what it does for her and for those she cares for, which is apparent from her charity work in her hometown of Des Moines. Now that we’re in an Olympic year (which, sadly is the only time the U.S. notices track and field), we’ll be seeing more of Lolo on the run up to London.

If you’re fortunate enough to have family with long lives, you eventually inherit things. Some things are of sentimental value and things of actual utility. Recently, I’ve come into two things of great sentimental value and practical application. One is a pocket knife, the other a lighter.

My father-in-law gave me an old Zippo lighter. Other than the occasional cigar, I don’t smoke, but used to carry a Zippo for years when I was working in restaurants. The one from him is original from the Korean War era with the logo for the furniture store outside of Boston that my in-laws own printed on it. About 50 were made, but most never saw the light of day. His father wanted to give the lighters directly to returning vets, but the local VA wanted to handle the delivery. The old surmised that the vets might never get them, so he held on to the lighters. I have one of the last remaining lighters, unused to date. I’ll fill it and fire it up one time, then put it back in its box.

Cleaning out my grandma’s house, my father came across a stash of pocket knives. They belonged to his grandfather, my great-grandfather. There had to be a half-dozen of them in various sizes and thickness. My father suggested I take the horn-handled jack knife. The blade is thin, blackened, but sharp. Looks like something you’d see a man use to cut and peel an apple, or as my father described a cutting knife for “those sort of occasions.” I haven’t heard any stories about him shanking a dude in a juke joint, but the knife looks well-used. What I know about my great-grandfather is very little—he was born on leap year, a successful tobacco farmer, and owned a fair amount of property in and around Ayden, NC in Pitt County—but the knife is a tangible connection to a piece of my history.

In an age when men are more likely to carry cell phones and thumb drives than knives and lighters, these things are throwbacks, holding some personal nostalgia. For the men who used accessories like these, having them at your disposal was critical. Carrying either now would get me stopped at checkpoints and put on terrorism lists all around the country.

Black Hawks Track Jacket for Women, on sale for $75

You know, every time my wife and I go to a Capitals game, I see these women walking around the concourse in these totally cute little t-shirts and hoodies that fit snugly and look great.  Oh, and these women love to sport the throwback Capitals logo, the one the team originated back when they were created back in the mid ’70s.  So I went to the NHL store last time I was in New York City and came by a throwback Capitals track jacket and while it wasn’t cheap, I sprung for it.  Why?  Because I knew my wife, a rabid Caps fan, would live in this thing.

And sure enough, she does live in it.  Here’s why–there is a company that knows how to put together women’s sports apparel that looks attractive, hip and not baggy and slouchy.  That company is Mitchell and Ness out of Philadelphia.   They’ve been making authentic throwback gear for almost 20 years and are really hitting their stride now, with lots of options and virtually all major sports teams covered with hoodies, t-shirts, and track jackets.  Not only will your woman wear these items at the arena, but she’ll probably walk around the house in them constantly, because they’re comfy and they just look so cool.

Valentine’s Day is coming up.  Aren’t sure what to get your little Black Hawks fan?  Cruise around the Mitchell and Ness site and see if one of the t-shirts or hoodies appeal to her.  I’ll bet if you spring for something, she’ll wear the hell out of it.  And that makes the price a bit easier to swallow.

Plus cruise through the Cooperstown Collection vintage baseball jerseys for yourself, since pitchers and catchers report in a few weeks!

David Boris is co-creator of Be Better Guys.

From the moment she appears on the screen in The Artist as Peppy Miller, Bérénice Bejo is a revelation. Aptly named in the film, her presence immediately energizes the movie. Bejo, from Buenos Aries, Argentina has the sort of face that conveys so much that her casting as a silent film star at the transition to talkies seems predestined, with big beautiful eyes and a luminescent smile. She’s a woman who recognizes an opportunity, doesn’t need saving, saving the lead character, Jean Dujardin in the titular role, in more ways than one. Bejo steals the show and our hearts.

If you’re not familiar with Bejo, her dad Miguel, is a film maker and she’s married to director Michel Hazanavicius and mother of two . She Christiana was in A Knight’s Tale with Heath Ledger and more recently the Bond parody OSS 117: Cairo, Nest of Spies (also with Dujardin). In OSS 117, she plays an Egyptian spy aligned with a revolutionary organization. It’s fun to watch her playing the straight role to Dujardin’s clueless spy, loathing the French agent’s ignorance of her country. Two scenes that confirm her sex appeal: Bejo’s character Larmina is tied up in her lingerie and instead of being rescued by her Muslim brotherhood, the men stare longingly, almost allowing the culprit to escape, and; a fight scene with Princess al Tarouk (Aure Atika) on a pier that involves lots of clothes ripping and heavy breathing—remember, it’s a spy spoof and YouTube is your friend. Fully clothed or less than that, Bejo is stunning. Her husband directs both OSS 117 and The Artist and conveys that he is as enamored with her as the camera is. The awards machinery is gearing up for her and Dujardin, so expect to see and hear more of her.

1. No woman is every unhappy with flowers, but flowers alone won’t cut it on Valentine’s Day.
2. If you’re going to do Valentine’s Day, be romantic. Make her blush. That’s what it’s for. Don’t be a practical on what has become a frivolous occasion.
3. Hint: Christmas just passed, so if you’re in a relationship, you should have a good idea of what she wants. Get her something that didn’t get covered then or that she has mentioned since. No need to reinvent the wheel.
4. In sports parlance, there is what’s known as a trap game, when circumstances are ripe for a better team to lose to lesser team. It’s usually due to a lack of energy following an emotional victory or lack of concentration, like looking past your opponent to the next game. Valentine’s Day is the trap game of holidays—it should be simple to nail, yet it somehow kicks your ass.
5. Valentine’s Day can put undue pressure on a young relationship and will be a gauge for what you can expect going forward. If she’s wants the whole treatment (flowers, gift, dinner/special event, gondola ride), this won’t change the longer you are involved. Just know that.
6. That being said, this holiday seems to be intended to make single people feel badly about themselves. New Year’s Eve is the other.
7. My wife doesn’t like Valentine’s Day, but that doesn’t absolve me of doing something. I get her something, even if she insists on having nothing.
8. On our first Valentine’s Day, I showed up at her apartment with a picnic basket full of food. I made linguine with clam sauce and served it with a fennel salad. After dinner, we went to a lounge nearby for coffee and dessert. Romantic, simple, and memorable. Plus, the food was tasty.
9. Now, I have four people to buy for: my wife, my daughters, and my mother. Who did you think I was buying for?
10. The guy for whom the holiday is named died in prison, either by decapitation or having his heart cut out. Not a statement or judgment, but an observation.

Brian Joyner is co-creator of Be Better Guys.

The latest offering from Jim Beam, the Devil’s Cut, was released about a year ago and Be Better Guys is overdue to review it; we’re on our second bottle of the stuff, having consumed the first one in, oh, a week, and now almost finished with Bottle #2.  So we have a lot of good thoughts after knocking out about a liter and half of the stuff – Beam did a very, very nice job on this bourbon!  Here’s how they make it:  essentially when a bourbon is emptied after oak barrel-aging, a certain amount remains locked in the wood.  Beam has developed a process to extract that additional bourbon and bottle it separately as the Devil’s Cut.

What you get is a very mellow, vanilla-tasting, and obviously nicely oaked flavor that, for about $24 a bottle, we think challenges one of our old stand-byes, Woodford Reserve, for richness and warmth.  There are notes of cinnamon, and we’ll say this – if you’re normally familiar with the standard Jim Beam, this will surprise the hell out of you.  It’s quite refined, so a shot of Devil’s Cut is not to be slammed back full-force.  This is a quality sipper and this time of year, wintertime, makes Devil’s Cut a reasonably priced, very good quality offering that is perfect by a fire, with your girl, a blanket, and nobody comin’ over!  Jim Beam Devil’s Cut Bourbon, $24 at all liquor stores.

A quick fact about swimsuit beauty (and recording artist John Legend’s fiancée) Chrissy Teigen is that she’s afraid of swimming. Another thing, she prefers eating to modeling. Beyond that, here’s what we know: she’s Thai and Norweigen, born in Utah and grew up in Washington; that her buddy Brooklyn Decker got her into to Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue.  She’s a sports fan and that she rocks the hell out of bikini.

Teigen has moved smoothly from working in a surf shop (where she was discovered) to modeling for IGN, where many might have seen her first, to surviving Howie Mandel on Deal or No Deal, to Victoria’s Secret PINK campaign. The fact that she’s gorgeous, tall, and fills out a dress quite nicely makes us big fans. Through out it, you get the sense that she’s a real, fun and funny girl—just check out her Twitter timeline to read that she’s kinda out there. Her “Me and My Place” shoot for Esquire lays out her preference for boy shorts over thongs, naked over lingerie, and that John Legend has the coolest girlfriend. True, . . . true.

If your daily uniform is a white Oxford shirt and navy suit, it’s time to take your wardrobe to the next level:

Colors

Ten years ago, men had no choice. If you worked in an office, your shirt was white and your suit was navy. Color belonged on the tie. Today, the rules have changed in even the stuffiest of offices. Light blue shirts are as acceptable as white. Suits no longer have to be dark. You can choose from a range of grays, and during the warmer months, a light or dark khaki suit is comfortable and stylish. As for shirts, pink and light purple join blue and white. There’s nothing feminine about these colors in a dress shirt. Pink is masculine, and so is lavender (more commonly labeled “violet” or “lilac”).

If you work someplace more relaxed, you have more options. “There are no hard-and-fast rules for wearing color,” says Daniel Ou, director of product development at Gap. “But the easy way to find a color that looks good on you is to pick shades that complement your skin tone: lighter, brighter colors for dark complexions, and saturated, darker hues for pale skin. Experiment and test out your comfort level first. I recommend trying on a new colored T-shirt or polo shirt with a pair of dark denim jeans to see how they look together, on you.”

A good place to start is with classic colors — blue, pink, purple — but in different shades. There are great medium-blue shirts the color of blueberry juice. Cobalt blue is also popular right now. Baby blue, a longtime favorite, “seems to have run its course and may be best for the toddler set,” says Ou. “Pink is a standard go-to color, but it has a preppy undertone, so try a bolder, dark version to stand out from the pack.” Specifically, look for a dark pink — not red — that’s reminiscent of a faded barn. It’s warm and inviting.

“If you’re worried about looking too bright, use color as an accent,” advises Ou. “Pair it with something neutral like khaki, gray or brown. It will tone down the look.”

Patterns
Easy places to add pattern include your tie, pocket square or socks. But to take a fashionable step forward, try adding shirts to the mix. Start with subtle stripes, plaids and gingham (a cross between a stripe and a plaid — it’s two colors crossing over to create a small-checkered pattern). “Wearing these patterns will signal your interest in looking like a true gentleman,” says Ou.

With stripes, start with basic color combinations such as blue and white, pink and white, or dark blue and light blue. Pair them with navy pants, jeans or khakis; you don’t want your pants to compete with the stripes. The same formula works for plaid, but avoid overly large patterns and overly bright colors, unless you’re planning to chop wood or go camping.

“I love plaid,” says Brian Bolke, founder of Forty Five Ten, an independent shop in Dallas, Texas, “because it’s going have three colors in it, which gives you a lot to work with. You can add a solid pant and tie and look great.” Note: The pants and tie should match the darkest color in the plaid.

“Gingham is a classic and easy-to-wear pattern that will never go out of style,” says Ou. But as with plaid, aim small. “Smaller-scale gingham in darker colors tends to be dressier and more stylish,” explains Ou, “while too large a scale might end up looking like a giant picnic table cloth.”

Finally, avoid combining multiple patterns. It’s too easy to look like you’re wearing pajamas. But a pattern tie-and-shirt combination can work well. For example, a medium-size plaid shirt with a tiny check tie can look smart when paired with a pair of dark pants.

In the end, the best advice is to experiment and trust your instincts. “Guys are uncomfortable trying new things,” says Bolke. “But they shouldn’t be. As long as you don’t go overboard, you’re going to get noticed — in a good way — for stepping up your game.”

Aaron Krach a New York City–based writer and artist, has served as senior editor at CARGO magazine and features editor at House Beautiful. He is the author of the acclaimed novel Half-Life and a book of photography called 100 New York Mysteries. His artwork can be seen at AaronKrach.com. Aaron’s articles have previously appeared in Men’s Life Today.

As the head honcho in Mean Girls, Rachel McAdams was the least likeable person ever. Cute? Sure. Smokin’ body? No doubt. Bitch? You bet ya! And then she showed up again in Wedding Crashers and was the girl everyone wanted to date/marry/have babies with (well, after spending a few moments with her sister, played by Isla Fisher). And she likes football! Now, she’s conniving and cunning Irene Adler in the Sherlock Holmes vehicle and the soon-to-be-Oscar-nominated Midnight in Paris (back to bitchy again).

Your girlfriend probably has a better memory of McAdams from the Notebook with Ryan Gosling, but we encourage you to check out her recent photo shoots in Vogue and Glamour. Maybe it’s the mole, the thing that says more than she does. Besides being a good actor, the 33-year-old Canadian has a come-hither smile that make the good girl and the nasty girl personas work. We would not be doing due diligence if we didn’t mention that she has assets—check out how she fills out those jeans in Midnight in Paris or search You Tube for “Rachel McAdams, Morning Glory”—in addition to knowledge behind that smile. She stays busy, which is a good sign for her. As a blonde, she’s nothing to sneeze at, but we prefer her as a brunette. Let’s hope this move back to brunette with The Vow sticks.

Be Better Guys was hit by a malware attack recently and only today have we gotten the matter under control. But, we recognize that some of you were inconvenienced, unable to access our content. To make it up to you, we want to offer a limited number of Opena iPhone 4 Cases as gifts. A stylish iPhone 4 Case with a slide out bottle opener made of durable and protective polycarbonate, Opena has

• Integrated slide out stainless steel bottle opener
• Works with all iPhone 4 models
• Colors include Black and White
• Perfect companion for parties, BBQ’s and pretty much anytime you need a bottle opener
• 1 year Warranty

So, if you accept our apology and are interested, “like” this post on Facebook and we’ll get you one of these, as long as supplies last.

*This was part of a promotion. The giveaway is no loner valid.

TUACA has been a bar favorite for several years now–bartenders offer it and partake of it because it’s easy going down and does have that pungent alcohol smell. However, the history of the liqueur dates back some 500 years ago, when it was supposedly created for Lorenzo de Medici. The recipe was lost to history, then rediscovered in the late 1930s by a pair of brother in-laws, Tuoni and Canepa. (Tu and Ca, get it?) The result is a brandy-based, vanilla and citrus flavored liqueur made for great sipping. Because of the vanilla, it’s a versatile component to a cocktail, but people probably know it as a chilled shot.

Capitalizing on that notoriety, TUACA partnered with tattoo artist and star of the TLC show LA Ink Corey Miller to create a lion tattoo for the bottle. Miller, an acknowledged master, used his signature black and gray technique for the lion design for the label that was printed with thermochromatic ink. The ink turns from silver to blue once it reaches the “perfect chill” temperature. Hence, the name of this limited-edition bottle, Perfect Chill.

So what about the hooch? Because it’s a liqueur, TUACA is sweet and heavy on the tongue. The vanilla notes immediately fill your nose and mouth. Then, as the vanilla dissipates, the orange notes and the heat of the brandy create a long finish. It’s ideally suited to pair with a spicy mixer like ginger ale and can be complemented with lime or lemon. And since it is winter, why not add it to coffee on a cold night? Because of the sugar content, you don’t want to drink too much of this and risk a killer hangover. The recipe below intended to be served cold, but nix the ice, heat the cider and pour the contents into a mug and you have a great mid-winter night’s drink.

TUACA Ginger Cider

• 1 oz TUACA® Liqueur
• 1 oz spiced rum
• ½ half of fresh-squeezed lemon juice
• ½ oz  simple syrup
• 2 thin slices peeled fresh ginger root
• ¾ oz fresh-pressed apple juice

Muddle ginger in a shaker. Add remaining ingredients and ice, and shake. Strain over fresh ice into a white wine glass. Garnish with freshly grated nutmeg and a lemon.

(PSA: Please drink responsibly. Don’t drink to excess)

Everywhere I look now, I see people’s socks. Let me rephrase: everywhere I look online, I see socks. Every men’s style blog, magazine, or advice column is pushing colorful, whimsical socks as a must-have for any well-dressed man. No longer can the well-dressed man get by with just the Bee-Gees for socks (brown, black, blue, and gray). Like pocket squares and tie bars, your sock game has become an important part of your overall style. I, for one, think this is a good thing.

I’ve always been a sock guy. Back in high school as I started being concerned about dressing better–well, if imitating Morris Day and the Time is dressing better–I almost immediately gravitated toward socks as a difference-maker. Pin-dot, small geometric patterns, an occasional stripe, argyle (it was the 80s), and some wackier prints. I fully embraced white socks as a fashion statement with a black suit and black penny loafers. Then, styles changed with a fuller cut for men’s clothing in the 90s. The shoes were heavier–lug soles instead thin leather ones; chunky instead of sleek–the pants were longer. Your socks didn’t get the kind of play they did in the decade before.

In comes the new millennium, with Mad Men, Thom Browne, a revival of men’s fashion, and a more body-conscious fit. Instead of pants pooling around your ankles, a half-break or even no break at all have become the norm. Shoes are getting more attention. That means socks are seeing the light of day more often. Bold color palettes and strong patterns, these socks have an opinion. And right on cue, designers began investing some of their creativity into more stylish options. Once, you needed to visit a specialty shop for accessories or some place like the Sock Shop. Now, everyone from Nicole Miller to Hugo Boss to Tommy Hilfiger has a sock line with funky colors and patterns. Even better, you can get sharp-looking socks from your local department store like Macy’s or Marshall Fields. Getting into this aspect of men’s style doesn’t cost an arm and a leg.

The Rules of Socks

So, how do you step it up? The same rules that applied with the solid socks you inherited from you Pops still work. But we tweaked them a bit for the new style.

• The socks should match your pants. But, gray pants don’t have to have gray socks. I wore a light gray flannel suit recently with a pale green shirt and blue-green tie. I wore green socks with heather gray, white, and navy stripes and brown shoes. It worked. If that’s too big a leap, try a sock with same color as the pants with small patterns in brighter colors.
• The key is complementary colors and hues. With the new emphasis on color, complement  is probably a better choice of words than match. Why not add a pop of color? I’ve seen navy suits with electric blue socks. Was it overkill? Maybe, but if you’re wearing a plaid with several colors, why not pick one to or two and match your socks to those colors instead of the primary one? Color should enhance, not overwhelm.
• Patterns should be in balance. Just like with your ties, bold pattern for the suit, smaller pattern for the socks. Can there be contrast, like stripes with argyle, plaid with shapes? Yes, but the contrast needs balance. There is a place for solid socks in this wackiness, just refer to the above rule to ensure maximum impact.
• Know your socks. In no way shape or form am I telling you to pair the fabric of your socks to your pants. What I am telling you is that wool socks are invaluable in cold weather, silk will cover most occasions, cotton can be had everywhere, and non-natural materials will hold sweat and heat more than natural ones, but also retain their shape longer.
• Socks aren’t the star of the show. Legendary producer Robert Evans once told Esquire : “If I go to a party and eight different people come over to me and say, “Gee, that’s a great-looking tie,” as soon as I get home, I take the tie off and put it in the shredder. Screw the tie! I’m not there to make the tie look good. The tie is there to make me look good.”  Consider this with your socks, but you don’t have to shred them.

Last thing: screw the rules. Let your eyes and instincts be your guides. If it looks right, go with it. Be Better Guys has been a big fan of Smart Turnout and their line of socks (pictured above, Royal Navy Socks, $29) and the terracotta red and gold joints from Marko John for Image Granted are nice at $18. Find few pairs and give them a spin around the office.

Brian Joyner is co-creator of Be Better Guys.

She plays the in-house private investigator Kalinda Sharma on series The Good Wife, but I first remember Archanca (she goes by Archie) Panjabi as the uptight older sister in Bend it Like Beckham. Apparently, I was late to the game as Panjabi was already a rising star in Europe and was well on her way to critically acclaimed roles in East is East, The Constant Gardner and A Mighty Heart. But it’s as Kalinda that has caught and held my attention. A tough customer in leather, corset-like vests and short skirts, her character alludes to the depths legal teams go to ensure cases are successful, and what the personal costs might be. Kali plays for keeps and looks the part. And boy, do we appreciate it.

Panjabi’s interaction with Alicia,  Juliana Margulies’ character, is handled with great precision. Once you find out that Kali slept with Alicia’s husband, played by Peter Noth, which is indirectly the reason Alicia is even back in the law game, the chemistry between them explodes. The tough girl exterior crumbles as her secret liaison with Noth becomes known and she tried desperately to get her friend back. The whole while, you’re looking at Panjabi thinking “Yep, I’d have done her, too.” The Indian-British beauty’s work has earned her an Emmy, and the admiration of a host of guys who only watch the show because of their significant other– “she likes it.” Yeah, we know. . . .

Now that the holidays are over, the full-on winter clearance sales have kicked into high gear, and the Cowboys get to stay home from the playoffs, just like my miserable, god-awful Redskins, it’s time to focus on hockey, hot women in boots and leggings, and finding good deals on the top items to add to your look this winter. It’s about to get slushy, sleety, windy and nasty across the nation and if you’re savvy with your eye and your search, you can find some killer items at great prices. Let’s get to five of the gets you want to look for:

Parka:  I own a beautiful camel topcoat. I love this thing. But when I have to go to Chicago or Boston or anywhere in the Midwest during deep winter, the topcoat mightas well be a cotton vest. Wind goes right through me.  It sucks. So to combat that, opt for a below-the-buns parka that you can put over your suit jacket.   If you pick one that has good length (below your suit jacket) and is preferably NOT international orange, yes, you can wear it to the office.  Just wash it periodically if you wipe your nose on the sleeve because a nasty parka veers into homeless territory.  Check out the one from Lands End Canvas for $120 or Cole Haan’s version, on sale now for $550.

Dress Boots:  One of the looks I rarely see outside of a few cities – New York, D.C., Chicago – are guys who wear dress boots with suits. Fact is, there are lots of them available that are the kind of rugged and classic boots that can go from an office meeting or customer visit to the bar and dinner after work. There’s essentially two types of boots – the classy, dressy kind and the more durable, chunkier kind, the sort with lug soles that are ideal for slush and puddles.  I’m not talking about those. I’m talking about this number from Allen Edmonds, that I will get when the price drops. I love this shoe and see myself wearing it now and when I’m 78.  The kind of shoe you just have forever.  Wear the chestnut color with a grey flannel suit and watch the world keep their eye on you.  Allen Edmonds Dalton boot, $375 (but I’m watchin’ ya so when you go down, I’ll be there to catch your fall, baby!)

A Woolen Tie:  I don’t think this is the first time Be Better Guys has pushed getting a woolen tie for winter, but still, most fellas just won’t spring for it. Look – you’re wearing flannels, you’re wearing sweaters, you’re wearing tweed, you’re wearing corduroy. You gonna wear a silk tie with that?! Go on, Dr. Cheese. Try Alexander Olch’s gingham wool tie, on sale for $98 at Park and Bond, or see what Brooks Brothers puts on sale in the next few weeks.  That’s where I get mine – classic, sturdy, timeless.

Brooks Brothers Argyle

Sweater Vest (preferably in Argyle):  As we’ve seen across the land, preppy is big-time back.  And that’s fine, because most preppy clothes are not very trendy and, with a smart purchase, you can own preppy-style clothes for decades. Big now? Sweater vests, particularly over a tie and under a sport coat. The key is to buy one that fits you rather snugly – not too tight so that you look like you’re stuffed in sausage casing – and that will add minumum bulk. Lots of options here and many, many are hitting the sale racks right now. You can go totally standard and classic like this Brooks Brothers vest, now on sale for $59, or go more vibrant and loud with this Paul Stuart vest, on sale at Park and Bond for $143.

J Press College Scarf

University Scarf:  You know those cool striped scarves that come in college colors and they’ve been around for a hundred years?  They’re either in-style or way in-style and right now, it’s way.  Like sweater vests, prep is all flying high and we have two go-tos to recommend–Smart Turnout (our British pals who also make great colorful college-themed ties and socks) and stalwart prep capital of the world, J Press.  Pick what you like and protect it; she’ll steal it and you’ll never see it, or her, again!

Bonus Boost:  I’ve recently been checking out the Park and Bond website, a shopping site tied in with GQ and one that is almost like a sister site to Be Better Guys. The stuff we talk about, they sell. Lot of designer stuff and vintage watches, but the site’s still developing so don’t expect the world. But it’s coming on strong and we dig it. Check it out.

David Boris is co-creator of Be Better Guys.

Happy New Year! From Be Better Guys

There is something about British actors–must be the accent. The bearing, the poise, the Britishness. Kate Beckinsale’s no except. Yes, she went to Oxford and studied Russian and French. Of course she has an IQ above 150.  For a while, I used to get her confused with Kate Winslet. Both Brits, both did Shakespeare with Kenneth Branagh, both are attractive, both came to the conscious of American film-goers in the early 90s. But while Winslet is the curvier of the two, Beckinsale’s lithe, yet comely frame raises more than a few eyebrows. Looking at that body it’s ard to believe she has an 11 year-old daughter.

Beckinsale’s come a long way from the new-to-the-world young woman in Cold Comfort Farm. The 37-year old London-born actor was pretty as a picture in Pearl Harbor; wowed us as Ava Gardner in The Aviator; and heartbreaking as a tourist on the wrong side of the drug trade in Thailand in Brokedown Palace, so we knew who she was. But the black patten-leather body suit that Beckinsale wears as Selene the vampire warrior in the Underworld trilogy is enough to bring any man’s attention. Hot looking and a badass? What’s not to love? Esquire thought enough of her raven-haired hotness to name her the Sexiest Woman Alive in 2009. It had been awhile since she was on the screen so many had to sate themselves with images of her on the beaches of Mexico, but with Underworld Awaking due out any time and several more films in the can, we get to watch her do her thing on screen and on the red carpet several times coming up. Who knows, she might even make vampire movies OK to watch again.

Earlier this year, Be Better Guys was approached by Jim Beam to participate in their Bold Choices campaign. Our instructions were simple: Choose several bold ideas, have readers vote on which one we should do, then go out and do it with a grant from Jim Beam. Co-creators David and Brian had some ideas, like going to Tuscany and taking cooking classes; performing a live kill on a wild boar; taking motorcycle riding lessons (and maybe a cheap bike); learning to scuba dive; or working with returning vets on tips for getting back into the civilian workforce. Eventually, the list was narrowed down to scuba lessons, motorcycle lessons, and working with returning vets.

Through an online poll, readers voted for their favorite. Thanks to our followers on Tumblr, Facebook, and Twitter for participating. The winning Bold Choice was working with returning vets. BBG has reached out to offer its services to state and regional Veterans Affairs offices in the greater Washington, DC area. Over the next several months, BBG will provide seminars and number of personal coaching opportunities for recently returning veterans preparing to enter the civilian workforce, free of charge.  As we get to know the needs of those who have served on our nation’s behalf, we can better assist them in their transition.

Check in with us to see how the effort is going!

Every season, fashion magazine editors grapple with sartorial one-upmanship, racing to declare that a runway look is the next big thing. The result? We’re made to believe that some pretty unflattering looks are in fashion. Just think of trucker hats and oversized belt buckles. . . .

Our advice: No matter how much press some new fashion trend garners, if you can’t see yourself still rocking it in five years’ time, take a pass. In that spirit, we’ve picked out five fall trends that can work for anyone, and five that are more hype than hip.

Style Do’s:

Try This: Camouflage
Hunting- and military-inspired gear has been popular for years now, with actual camo-decked pieces now popping up at fashions shows — such as Gant by Michael Bastian — and in notable street-style blogs, in the shape of pocket squares, hats and cargo pants. Just remember, as with any bold pattern, camouflage works best sparingly — as an accent.

Try This: Hiking Boots
Thick or lug soles are not for every type of shoe (see our “Don’t” section below). But thick-soled hiking boots pair with everything from jeans and cool-weather slacks to suits made from heavier materials like tweed and wool — something labels like Ralph Lauren and Moncler showed frequently on the fall show runways. For a pair with serious heritage, check out Danner from Portland, Ore. — and make sure to add some red, green or blue laces for a bit of color.

Try This: Double-breasted Everything
Double-breasted suits and sport coats have slimmed down since the bulky, wide-shouldered Wall Street power-broker days, and the look will be everywhere this fall. Suits, blazers, outerwear: Everyone from Zegna to Native Son showed some variation of the look — with the most popular being the cropped, soft-shouldered DB sport coats, like this one from Rugby Ralph Lauren.

Try This: Cargo Pants
These aren’t the baggy Abercrombie versions of the ’90s. On the runways and on editors milling around the shows in Milan and Paris, slim-cut versions showed up as suiting and as relaxed (but still tailored) pants dressed up with monk straps or made casual with sneakers. Check out this twill pair from L.L. Bean Signature .

Try This: The Color Brown
Whether you’re talking suiting (Ralph Lauren, Zegna), outerwear (Burberry Prorsum) or accessories (Billy Reid), a rich chocolate-brown is one of the stand-out colors of the fall. Just make sure the design is modern so you don’t slip into the nondescript teddy-bear-brown suits favored by ex-President Ronald Reagan. A little color helps here too. (Hint: Nothing pairs with a chocolate-brown suit quite like a deep-blue gingham shirt.)

Fashion Don’ts:

Skip This: Sweatpants as Evening Wear
Fashion-y types have been heralding the dawn of the elegant sweatpant — luxe, tailored versions with high-end materials — shown by hip labels, like Band of Outsiders. There’s only one problem: No matter how well-cut and expensive the pants are, you’re still wearing sweatpants to the cocktail bar. Don’t be the male version of the late-’90s chick decked out in chenille sweatpants with “Juicy” written across the booty. You can’t pull it off.

Skip This: Lug-sole Dress Shoes
Functional footwear requires the stability of a lug sole; wingtips and lace-ups, not so much. Yet despite the fact that office-worthy shoes shouldn’t be built for trekking up a large slab of rock, lug-soled dress shoes were seen frequently both on and off the runway during the fall fashion shows. These thick-soled mash-ups seemed to be aiming for a touch of Dr Martens London punk, but instead suggested your grandmother’s orthopedic shoes. When it comes to more formal footwear, lug soles are not a flattering look. Stick to slim and sleek.

Skip This: Backpacks in the Workplace
Don’t get us wrong; backpacks are indeed back. (Pun intended.) There are plenty of cool and functional over-the-shoulder examples from the high end (Seirs Marschall for J.Crew Men’s Shop ) to the low (JanSport Heritage ). But remember: They are for off-duty weekend and gym times, not the office. No matter what the fashion editors have hanging from their backs, no one is going to take you seriously if you walk into a meeting looking like an overgrown fourth-grader. Briefcases, old-school or new, still rule the modern workplace.

Skip This: Surf Punk
Fashion editors are all over Rick Klotz’s surf punk-inspired Warriors of Radness line, as it seems to capture some fleeting hipster zeitgeist. No one, however, seems to be bothered by the fact that this has led to drop-crotch harem pants with Zubaz prints. If you are a) an actual surf punk; or b) a street-style hipster who likes tank tops and copious amounts of neon, you’ll find some cool pieces here. But if you’re wearing this stuff because you read some gushing review in GQ or Details, plan to walk around looking like the worst kind of fashion victim.

Skip This: Invisible Tie
You may have seen this look on some wispy actor walking down the red carpet at a movie premiere. He’s got on a suit or sport coat, button-front shirt and no tie … and yet, the top collar button is securely fastened. It’s sometimes called the “invisible tie” look and has been frequently used on the runway by brands like Shipley & Halmos and Dolce&Gabbana. It is often described in magazines as “elegant” or “streamlined.” In reality, though, it just makes you look like an anal-retentive nerd. If you’re not wearing a tie, open your collar.

Joshua Condon is a lifestyle writer based in Los Angeles. He runs the Exhaust Notes blog for MSN Autos and is a contributor for Inc. Technology. He frequently contributes freelance articles covering fashion, entertaining, food and spirits, travel and technology. Joshua’s articles have previously appeared on Style and Tech for Men.

Be Better Guys

Just wanted to let everyone know that despite being dumped from the Transformers series and marrying Brian Austin Green, Megan Foxis still around and she’s still hot. After being the “It Girl” for the business end of four years, her fall-out with Michael Bay and inexplicable roles in Jennifer’s Body and Jonah Hex found her on the outs, relatively speaking. But thanks to the magic of the Internet, music videos, and  lingerie ads,  Fox has remained relevant. She is consistently on the list of hottest celebrities, most recently Men’s Health 100 Hottest Women of All Time. She’s outspoken and seems to be a hella lot of fun.

Born in Tennessee, raised in Florida, Fox became a performer at the age of 5, got her first film role at 16. One look at her, of French-Irish-Native American ancestry and her claim to hottest is evident. The dark-haired, blue-eyed actress is a stunner, and a favorite of fellow actors like Shia LaBeouf (apologies to Rosie Huntington-Whitley) and prefers hanging out with guys to women. The images of Fox in Wonder Woman and Supergirl outfits are fake (and the claims of her taking over for Angelina Jolie as Lara Croft are unfounded to date) however, with three films on tap for 2012, her absence from the silver screen appears temporary. Now, if we can just do something about David Silver. . . .

I recently saw Thandie Newton, the Afro-British actress who has played everything from Secretary of State to Sally Heming, discuss “Embracing Otherness, Embracing Myself” on TED. She spoke so eloquently about finding who she was by losing her need for self-definition. If I hadn’t already been in love with her, this would have cinched it. First, she’s beautiful, with fine, delicate features and luminescent eyes. A former dancer, she carries herself with a grace that’s achingly beautiful. Then there’s the talent she’s displayed in roles that highlighted vulnerability and strength at the same time (Jefferson in Paris), intelligence (ER), and occasionally ball-busting attitude (Rock N Rolla, W.). Her turn in as a victim of police abuse in the critically acclaimed Crash was heart-wrenching, earning her praise and awards. Heck, she even made Tom Cruise look good in MI:2.

Jokingly, I said that Zoe Saldana scooped up the roles that Newton normally would have while Newton was off raising her two daughters. Thankfully, she’s back with several movies upcoming, the lead role in the play Death and the Maiden, and as the face of Louis Vuitton. Besides, as Newton has pointed out, there should many more roles for women of color. Please give her more roles, if only to watch her walk the red carpet and smile.

It’s so easy to stay fit in the summer — the beautiful days keep you outdoors and active, while the heat controls your appetite. Then the weather turns, and every day it seems you’re moving just a little bit less and eating just a little bit more.

But when you think about it, there’s really no excuse for such behavior. “It’s almost like a woman who’s pregnant and thinks, ‘I can eat anything I want!’” says Joshua Margolis, founder of New York City–based personal training service Mind Over Matter Health & Fitness. “You can, but it’s not necessarily the right thing to do.” In other words, winter is not a license to sit around and stuff your face. If it were, Colorado would be a state full of fat people; instead, it has boasted the nation’s lowest percentage of obese adults since 1990, a fact largely attributed to the population’s strong outdoor culture.

However, even if we accept that blaming the cold for our sloth-like habits is wrong, it can be tough to stay on track with health goals when it’s cozy inside and miserable outside. To help, we asked fitness expert Margolis and nutrition expert Ilyse Schapiro, a registered dietitian and certified dietitian/nutritionist at Brown & Medina Nutrition in New York City, for their best tips on how to stay healthy and happy during those long months of sleet and snow.

Eat Citrus
“Winter is cold and flu season, so it’s more important than ever to keep your immune system functioning at its best,” says Schapiro, who recommends taking vitamin C to give it that extra boost. “Oranges and clementines are in season, so why not put out a bowl of those during the game instead of a bowl of chips?”

Find a Workout Partner
It’s a dark, bitter morning, and your bed’s so warm and comfy … but you’re supposed to meet Joe at indoor tennis in 30 minutes. Says Margolis: “Having a buddy to exercise with automatically creates accountability and responsibility.” If you’re in need of a partner, ask that guy you always see at the gym or someone from your intramural sport team, or simply post on Facebook: “Hey, I’m going out for a run in the morning. Anybody interested in joining?”

Choose Healthy Comfort Foods
We crave thick, heavy food in the winter. But instead of reaching for a can of calorie-packed cream-based soup, heat up some hearty lentil stew or veggie chili. Schapiro also recommends preparing recipes with low-fat instead of full-fat dairy and lean ground turkey versus ground beef. As for carbs, always opt for whole grains, including whole-wheat pasta, whole-wheat couscous, quinoa and brown rice. For more ideas, check out EatingWell, Schapiro’s go-to source for healthy recipes.

Buy Winter Workout Gear
When you make a financial commitment to something, you tend to stick to it more. Likewise, spend money on a parka, goggles, base layers, ice tools — the sky’s the limit — and you’re probably not going to let them go to waste. For an extra guarantee, put your purchases somewhere you’ll see them every time you come in or out the door. Guilt is a brilliant motivator.

Get Your Beta-carotene
Antioxidants protect against damage to cells and can help fight diseases and illnesses from cancer to the common cold. If you increase your intake in the winter, says Schapiro, you can stave off or shorten the length of a cold. Beta-carotene is one major antioxidant, and foods rich in it are readily available during winter. Carrots, sweet potatoes and broccoli are all in season and are packed with the infection-fighting cells.

Pick up a Winter Sport
Skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, ice hockey, ice climbing, snowmobiling … “An inordinate number of fitness disciplines require colder temperatures,” says Margolis. The winter season is a great reminder to mix up your workout. “If you’re doing the same thing repeatedly,” explains Margolis, “your body gradually gets used to it, and the energy you expend decreases. It’s no longer as challenging for your body.” Ramp up your workout by testing new cold-weather skills. Or simply get out there with your little cousins and have a snowball fight; 8-year-old kids can make you burn more calories than drill sergeants.

Caroline Kinneberg is a Paris-based journalist who has written for The New York Times, The Boston Globe and Vice.

If you’ve been paying attention, BBG likes city chicks. Nothing wrong with the women from the heartland, but there is something about women from urban settings. The vibe they have, the knowledge they possess, as Joel Goodman might say. This is one reason we are kind of excited about Kat Dennings, from the Philadelphia area. Home-schooled, graduated at 14 years old, and an avid reader might make for a less than regular girl, which she parlays into inspired performances.

Roles in House Bunny, Nick and Nora’s Infinite Playlist, and most recently Thor, had everyone wanting to see more of Dennings, so her own series, Two Broke Girls was just what the doctor (and fans) ordered. Her character Max is a wet dream for every hipster dude running around Brooklyn—hip, acerbic with a pouty mouth, and runs her own cupcake shop. The curvaceous brunette categorizes herself as weird, but comes off as smart and sarcastic, a bit more knowing than those around her. The recent notoriety has led to some uninvited intrusion into her personal life (Google it, if you’re interested). And Heaven knows, the camera does like her. If the reception to the new show is any indication, she’ll be keeping the snoops and paparazzi off for years to come.

It is better to be prepared for an opportunity to explore and not have one, than to have one and not be prepared. Mark “Halvy” Halverson lives by this credo. He almost always has the right gear in the trunk of his car so he’s ready to roll for his favorite adventure activities.

Halvy is a big fan of mobile adventure gear (i.e., equipment that folds, collapses or simply deflates so that it’s easy to tote to and fro). A founding member of the Baja Bush Pilots and a 13-year veteran of Burning Man — the annual gathering in Nevada’s Black Rock Desert, dedicated to community, art, self-expression and self-reliance — the Southern California native owns a folding mountain bike, inflatable kayak and stand-up paddleboard (SUP), and a rare hinged surfboard. Whether flying to the Nevada desert or south of the border to his jungle escape near Puerto Vallarta, he fits it all — plus his 6-foot, 5-inch frame — into his 1968 Cessna 172 Skyhawk.

In fact, the last time I saw the big man, he was inflating the huge stand-up paddleboard in the living room of his friend’s condo in Malibu and showing off this cool new folding paddle that was designed with a fishing spear built into the handle.

While you may not have a plane to get you to your happy place, you can take a cue from Halvy and take some of your toys with you everywhere you go.

Here’s STM’s short list of portable gear worthy of Halvy’s stash — and your cash.

Montague Paratrooper Pro | $1,049

MontagueBikes.com This folding mountain bike was originally designed for military use. The idea was simple: Paratroopers could jump out of an airplane with the bike strapped to their backs, deploy their chutes, land, unfold the bike and then ride into battle. Hooya! Consequently, the 29-pound, 27-speed Paratrooper Pro is tough as nails. Based on designs for full-suspension downhill bikes, it provides a 26-inch wheel size and 100 millimeters of travel in the front shocks — enough for the roughest terrain. To pack it away, the rider simply removes the front wheel and folds the frame in half. (It doesn’t weaken the frame by “breaking” it, like other folding systems.) The Pro can then be stowed in your car’s trunk, under a desk or even in an airplane overhead compartment.

Uli Fat Ass Quad | $1,295

UliBoards.com The first inflatable stand-up paddleboard of its kind, the Fat Ass Quad is 9 feet and 3 inches long, and 33 inches wide. This quad-fin board only weighs 26 pounds. Uli claims that the collapsible Quad is super-stable even for nose-riding, can handle overhead-plus surf and is stiff enough for riders that weigh up to 250 pounds. Made of military-grade material that’s lightweight but durable, the foldable board easily packs into a duffle for travel. Once you reach your destination, it quickly inflates with the help of a small hand-pump (included).

Sea Eagle 340x Explorer | $849

SeaEagle.com A mere 42 pounds, the Sea Eagle 340x Explorer inflatable kayak can be piloted by one person, but is big enough to accommodate two and all their gear. It is made of a tough, high-pressure polyester fabric, with seams that are electronically welded. This allows the kayak to withstand Class IV rapids or even the occasional sharp racks that you’ll encounter while using it. It also has four extra-large drains and an auto-bailing design to keep the inflatable from filling up in whitewater. The drains can be quickly sealed for flat-water cruising to keep you and your cargo completely dry. Integrated bow and stern spray-skirts have water-deflecting guards, and rope lacing forms secure hand-holds and convenient tie-down points.

Water Walking Ball | $248

eCrater.com  If you’ve ever had delusions of grandeur in which you can miraculously walk on water like a god, then this inflatable Water Ball is right up your alley. The PVC bubble is 6.5 feet in diameter — large enough to hold most adults as well as a reserve of breathable air. The Water Walking Ball comes with a carrying bag, instructions for use on water and land, support service by Skype or by email for 5 years, and a complete warranty.

Pro-Iroda O-Grill 1000 Portable Grill | $169

Pro-Iroda.com  Since man cannot live on toys alone, consider adding the O-Grill 1000 portable propane gas grill to your roving repertoire. Weighing only 16 pounds, the clamshell O-Grill is perfect for barbeque aficionados on the go. With its 165-square-inch cast-iron grilling surface and auto-ignition 9450-BTU stainless-steel burner, you’ll think you are using a much larger grill. Hook this bad boy up to a standard propane gas cylinder and you’re in business, cooking up beefy burgers and succulent steaks. When the cooking is done, you will love the retractable legs and easy-to-grab handle.

Gretchen Newcomb is a freelance writer who keeps her pulse on the online world by writing for Bing, Edmunds, MSN and more. She leads an active lifestyle in Oregon, where she retired to raise and homeschool her two children. Gretchen’s articles have previously appeared on Style and Tech for Men.

It’s the Holiday season again. Guys frequently get the crap end of the stick at gift-giving time. Why? Because we don’t share what it is we want, then end up disappointed when we get another Aram sweater. Have no fear, your buddies from Be Better Guys has a list of gifts for guys that will be sure to hit on something for everyone.

Over the next weeks, we’ll be updating this list (and adding a couple of things for women, too), right up until Christmas. Just bookmark this page and save yourself the trouble of typing it over again.

Headcase Etch-A-Sketch iPad Case: With over 25 million sold since its initial release, the iPad is the hottest thing since sliced bread. And along with those iPads are the myriad accessories that go with them. It needs something to protect it that’s equally as revolutionary. It needs the Headcase Etch-A-Sketch case. High-impact plastic in the famous red rectangular form, the case makes a hell of an impression. And for a present, isn’t that what you want to do, make an impression? A great gift for the design student or the dad with a sense of whimsy, it is $39 from Headcase.

Griffin Stylus+Pen+Laser Pointer: Considering that the iPad is moving into the realm of business productivity device, having something to let you work with it more effectively might be worth considering, also. We reviewed this earlier in the year, but the Griffin Stylus+Pen+Laser Pointer is worth considering for the more tech-minded on your list. It’s being billed as the Swiss Army knife for the modern consumer and business professional. We like that it has a pen–we don’t know if a laser pointer is a critical need. Then again, how often do you think of the stubby file on Swiss Army knife, yet it occasionally comes in handy, doesn’t it? $50 from Griffin.

Camel Messenger Bag by Fleet Co: Leather goods, particularly well constructed ones, are a sure-fire hit as a gift for most guys–no offense to the vegans and PETA folks. But Fleet Co. should make those well-intentioned people feel better. The North Carolina artisan uses reclaimed/repurposeable leather and other materials to make some fine, singular items to carry everything from brandy to your laptop. We are particularly fond of the gorgeous Camel Messenger Bag, ideal for said laptop, magazine, or whatever else you’re hauling to the office. The suede-side leather, brass fittings, and dark stitching signal that this bag is unique, which it is, a true one-of-a-kind. $220 at Etsy.

Würkin Stiffs Cuff Links: The increase in sales of men’s furnishings continues, as guys are getting more and more comfortable with tie bars, pocket squares, and cuff links as a part of their regular gear. Personal furnishings like those mentioned and the tie are of the few aspects of men’s wear that allow average guys to show any originality. The folks from Würkin Stiffs have a line of cuff links that play up the personality. From Ali to Elvis, argyle to herringbone, there is a range of expressions made from high-quality billet brass covered in resin. Pop artists Peter Tunney, Simon Oxley, and Dr. Krinkles have featured products, so these aren’t exactly your dad’s cuff links. $85 a pair available online,at Nordstrom and other stores.

Philips Norelco QT4070 Vacuum Stubble and Beard Trimmer: You think you look like Adam Levine from Maroon 5. Your girlfriend, recognizing how hot role-play sex can be, even if “Moves Like Jagger” makes her ears bleed, doesn’t want to disappoint. So how do you cultivate that perfect 5 o’clock shadow that would make Sonny Crockett jealous and keeps both of you happy? The Philips Norleco Vacuum Stubble and Beard Trimmer can help.

It’s a flat-head trimmer, with in-take slits, like a Ferrari Testarossa, that act like guards, gliding over your face The trimmer cuts down to .5 mm or 1/32 of an inch, up to 23/32 or 18 mm. Next to the blade is small aperture that sucks the clipped hairs in via an internal vacuum. No mess! The smoked gray compartment holds the clippings in an easy-to-access chamber. The lithium-ion battery has a 50-minute charge life and takes a relatively short 60 minutes to fully charged. At $59.99, (even cheaper at Amazon), it won’t get you a Grammy, but it will let you look the part while lip-syncing “Sunday Morning.” This item was provided by Philips Norelco free of charge. The opinions expressed are solely of Be Better Guys.

Malcolm Gladwell: Collected: New Yorker featured writer Gladwell has identified trends in our rapidly-changing society and writes about them with the grace of a poet. Gladwell’s landmark investigations into the world around us are collected together for the first time. Beautifully repackaged and redesigned, including for the first time illustrations, a must-have. Available at bookstores nationwide and via Amazon, $50.

Michel Germain Sexual Nights: Michel Germain’s fragrances have become ubiquitous, with his best-selling Sexual at every major department store. We featured their Sugar Daddy last year and it was a big hit with readers. So, we rolled the dice, trying Sexual Nights Pour Homme. The fragrance has a more Oriental scent profile, with base notes of sandalwood, tonka beans, and cedar, with bergamont, neroli, orange and more floral top notes. While Sexual and its spin-off fragrances tend toward the heavier side, once Nights mellows, the fragrant woody smell gives a warm, pleasant smell. Is it an aphrodisiac? We’ll let you decide. $57.00 for 2.5 oz at Macys.

Bell & Ross Watch: Let’s say you’ve been good this year. I mean, really good. Like one miracle short of sainthood good. Dinner at Nana’s house instead of watching the 7^th game of the NBA Finals; volunteering to see a Kiera Knightly movie and enjoying it; that kind of good. The lady of the house wants you to know she noticed and decided to get you a high-end piece of Swiss engineering that isn’t a model. We suggest she get you something from Bell & Ross, designer of timepieces for men of exacting needs since 1993. Beautiful, utilitarian, and simple, the look of the Bell & Ross watches range from the instrument-panel like BR-01 92 from the Aviation line, to a classic style that harkens to Hemingway and the Battle of Verdun, with its WW1-92 Military from the Vintage line. This is a watch for a man who is more concerned with function over fashion, although they are quite good looking. $3,300 for the WW1-92 and $4,400 for the  BR01-92, at retailers nationwide.

For the Ladies

Thomas Pink Emma White Shirt: She likes wearing your dress shirts, likes the feel and smell of you having been in them. She also recognizes the simple elegance of a dress shirt, how it gives authority to a pair of jeans or a suit. However, she won’t actually invest in a quality one for herself. My friend, this is what Christmas/Hanukkah/Festivus are for. You should do this for her. We recommend the Emma shirt from Thomas Pink. A 100% cotton collared shirt with concealed placket gives a smooth finish. It’s fitted for a woman’s form and since it’s Thomas Pink, you know it’s well made. Indulge her, if she won’t indulge herself. $185 at Thomas Pink stores and online.

Smoky Topaz Bib Necklace:  The days of big jewelry are back! Women are wearing chunky necklaces, bracelets, and rings. Maybe your sweetie hasn’t fully embraced the look yet, so test the waters with this stocking stuffer, a Smoky Topaz Bib. The gold-toned necklace with the big crystals says low-brow glam, matched with denim and leather as well as a shiny blouse for New Year’s Eve. Channel her inner Material Girl, $36 at Bauble Bar.