The Tropical roots of casual Aloha Friday goes back in time to 1960 in Hawaii, when the city of Honolulu allowed its workers to wear the Aloha shirt every Friday to kick start their weekends in a colourful way. It was done in an attempt to build corporate response to raise employee morale from a sometimes stifling white collar office environment.
In any professional environment, it’s important to look the part. Even though it’s okay to wear jeans on a Friday, pay attention to the entire look. As an Urban Monsieur, one should project poise. Sure you look polished; by not trying too hard. When a man goes into the office, one should want people to think he’s there to work and not leave.
If you’re like most men, you would wear a shirt with a stiff collar, a traditional tie and a suit to office. Leather shoes and formal socks and might throw in a cuff-link with the best branded shirt for a particular meeting.
- Take for instance, the Financiers and Investment Bankers. Whether it’s the confidence that talks volumes; in handling financial activities being money and investments, it’s professional for them even on a casual Friday to dress in suits, shirts and neckties. We say, brighten it up! Play with colours and experiment with Linen suits, perfect outfit for a casual Friday!
-In more casual or creative workplaces, like advertising or technology firms, men can be more relaxed and wear softer fabrics and comfortable loose cuts to let your body breathe and relax for the day- Well this doesn’t mean you walk into work; wearing shorts and flip-flops-it’s a big NO-NO!
Some pointers to look good and comfortable on a day like Friday:
Aloha, Yes! 
- Slacks, trousers in cotton, linen for the cool summer look.
- Denims for the more dress- down casual look.
- Casual shirts, dress shirts, sweaters, t-shirts, golf t-shirts and turtlenecks are acceptable attire for work.
- Choose the perfect footwear to complete the ensemble- Loafers, clogs, sneakers, boots and leather deck-type shoes are acceptable for work.
Aloha, No! 
- Sweatpants, track pants, Bermuda shorts, short shorts, shorts, bib overalls, leggings, and any spandex or other form-fitting pants such as people wear for biking.
- Flashy athletic shoes, thongs, flip-flops, slippers, and any shoe with an open toe- not acceptable.
- Hats are not an appropriate accessory for the work place.
Walk into Prestige- The Man Store… Plenty of brands to choose from; Giovani, Van Heusen, Park Avenue, Louis Phillipe, Arrow, Zodiac, Allen Solly, Pepe, U.S. Polo, Colour Plus…
Choose ensembles that are both dressy yet relaxed – for the perfect casual Friday outfit!
Image courtesy: theinternview.com
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Mumbai, April 12, 2011 : LP from Louis Phillipe, a premium men’s wear for the confident man has introduced its Spring Summer line of Footwear to accessorize his sporty-yet-classic look for the season. Inspired by vintage motorsport, the LP footwear line features shoes in various fashion colors in premium leather and suede.
This season, the LP footwear line has drawn inspiration from the Monaco Grand Prix and the Daytona Beach races; reflected through the color palette and stylisation of its apparel and the footwear range. This Summer, the man can opt for a variety of styles to suit the occasion and his style moment! The soft boots in premium suede and the casual slip-ons with two tone finish leather seem like a perfect choice for a weekend away. For a casual and sporty look, LP has introduced the Vintage Sports shoes, the Motor Racing inspired shoes and even a Boat shoe style. For the forever-classic look, one has the classic oxford brogues with a modern twist. Sport a preppy look with LP’s lifestyle shoes in bright blue and deep red!
“Finis Coronat Opus”. Or quite simply, “the finish crowns the work”.
With this design philosophy, every LP is a trove of hidden treasures with subtle nuances that will delight the wearer and allow him to discover something new everyday.
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About Louis Phillipe and LP
Launched in India in 1989, Louis Philippe has been a statement of status and style for powerful men. Louis Philippe establishes, beyond a shadow of doubt, that its wearer is a man of infallible taste and class. This tradition continues from when the brand was first launched in the United Kingdom, as a purveyor of fine clothing for the discerning European gentleman.
Aimed at young fast-trackers, LP from Louis Philippe ascertains the new style mantra for the young generation, characterised as being expressive, spirited and driven by passion. LP Louis Philippe is for those who are determined to make a mark in this world and yet, wouldn’t compromise on either the fun or the values enroute. LP is available at more than __ flagship stores across India. The brand provides a unique international shopping experience. Apart from the chain of Planet Fashion stores, it is also available at all leading menswear and department stores across the country.
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What does fashion mean to Men? A bunch of women wearing fancy clothes and walking on ladder-like shoes! Still better, thin and god-knows-where-the weight-went men walking like the Leaning Tower of Pisa on the prowl.
There’s something that has been bothering the men world over for ages; it’s Fashion! At some point every man in the world has to deal with fashion, whether he’s a plumber or a rock star. We call it Fashion Jitters- the irrational fear of wearing something fashionable and constantly worrying about what people might think.
I have never understood what those funny things are on the ramp. Why the hell would anyone dedicate them to fashion week!
Fashion isn’t a case of dressing up or dressing down-it’s unique to all of us. The norm in this context is to beat your Phobia and to be in sync with those in your social circle. Here are some tips for u men to look the best this summer!
The basket ball diaries: Revamp the old vacationer look with Khaki shorts and a white tee and have an adventurous weekend.
The Tourist: Suit up with the cool Linen suits and a silk pochette, a perfect way to dress up any suit and you are all set for that special meeting.
The Beach: Printed shirts, White Linen trousers and Flip flops…For that cool summer look!
Step Up: Denim Shorts/ Pants with Ganji’s, for a fun getaway with the boys!
Troy: Roman sandals with shorts, keeping it simple!
Inception: Wear your ties loosened at the neck with narrow-legged trousers and a fitted coat, look your best and control your mind!
Pirates of the Caribbean: Feel like a pirate! Get your Straw Hats out of your wardrobe and wear them with Bermuda shorts.
Yellow Shirt, Purple Pants and Brown Loafers – The New Guy!
This summer try our new Linen trousers and shorts, cotton trousers and shorts or denim shorts and accessorise with Hats, Scarf’s, socks and Ties; Walk in to find your perfect summer outfit @ Prestige- The Man Store.
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There is Simply the best and then, there is the Simply the boring; the latter calls for Prints. This 1970’s trend has made a huge comeback this season, much to the delight of the fashion pundits and the fashion revellers, alike.
Prints add a twist to the different styles that remain available in the fashion frat’s vocabulary. Fabulous as it is and meant for the confident, Prints are the summer showstoppers. Depending on your preference and personal style statement, you can choose from a horde of prints. Be it the simple polka dot prints, even the ever-present animal prints (yes, animal prints for men!) or the more modern geometrical prints, Prints and Pattern add pizzazz to the bright & sunny fashion in the summers.
Colors append the powerful look of the prints. Hence, it is quite necessary that you choose the right one that provides grounds for a positive feedback to the designs. Mismatch of the color and the designs can be a complete disaster; which is why designers are so careful with them for maintaining the perfect balance.
Of course, not many men out there would opt for Prints but that’s the idea- who wants to mix-in when you can stand out? The Devil always wears at liberty! However, a deft handling of Prints and Patterns means picking out clothes that “suit the hour” not you. Be it on the shoes or the apparel, choosing the right kind of Prints is important here. Jackets, ties, shirts, T-shirts- you name it and you have it.
Pick out old batik prints on Ikat and Madras. You can also opt for Checks which look unassumingly cool. Shorts that are paisley, brightly striped shirts and also retro clothes with plaids on them look good this season. When cut trimly and mismatched artfully, Prints can add zillions of style to your ensemble. Try these with flat caps and patterned foulards to give the look a more Riviera flair. Keep on board with the trend with pieced blazers that are decorated with patches of assorted fabrics! That’s a cool do. Or just team a printed shirt with linen trousers for a more on-the-beach-relaxed look.
Leopard prints may have been the territory of women that men weren’t allowed to trespass; but come this spring it’s a whole new story! While a man in Leopard Printed Trousers is oozing confidence, leopard prints’ jacket keeps him ahead in the race! You can also try the Camo jackets in leopard prints. Or just team a leopard printed summer coat with a black shirt to go with it…
Choose printed ties and shoes to accessorise your bland outfit and see the part meter raving just because of you!
Whatever may be your choice, remember to keep it stylish…
Prestige, The Man Store houses various prints and patterns just for your liking. Walk in to try the fab look for this summer.
Image Courtesy: http://1.imimg.com
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Charlie Harper is no more; or may be not. The world has gone away on a tandem to take a cue on that; but you have to give it to the man for brandishing the Loafers, effortlessly. Just when you thought Loafers were for the retired and has-beens, Harper proved- the case was right the opposite.
Loafers have their origins in the Norwegian farms. Leather shoes that required little maintenance and extolled comfort like no other, loafers quickly picked up among those who loafed about (hence the name- loafers). What began in the careless-farms soon became the ‘casual’ shoe of the village-folk. By the 1930’s, it had entered the casual vocabulary of the European man. They became the infamous choice of sophisticated men looking for a luxurious kind of comfort. Loafers have graced the feet of Clark Gable, John Wayne and Fred Astaire. Even Michael Jackson danced in them.
Versatility best describes this shoe; and it comes with the “Hassle-free” tag. And men like “hassle-free”! Traditionally made from leather, loafers resemble a moccasin on top. They come with a wide and a fairly flat heel. Many loafers also have tassels. The tassel contributes to their high-quality dressy side; and makes them modern but suitable for the semiformal occasions. Then, there are the penny loafers which have a strap across the upper portion of the shoe.
Loafers may have been categorized as “casuals”, but a well-made man’s loafer constructed of polished leather can be dressed up with a sports jacket and tie for almost any occasion. They may also be dressed down with Denims for a stylish weekend or the smooth evening look.
Prestige, The Man Store offers a range of loafers to complement every man’s personal style. Be it the preppy aesthetics; the Italian sensibilities or more modern offerings; whether you pick a sleek black loafer, the dressy tasseled loafer or the ever-present Penny loafer, there will be a loafer for you when you want it.
Prestige- The Man Store
The Man Store-#165, Commercial Street, Bangalore-1
Tel-08025588599/25588600
Now also at Mantri Square
UGF, Mantri Square, Malleshwaram, Bangalore-3
Image Courtesy: www4.images.coolspotters.com
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Dear Mr. Annoying
Please (and we insist) take note of the “UNDER QUOTES”. We are talking to you:
1. Guy, plugging his iPod into the only blasting speakers you own;
2. Guy, changing the CD at the bar;
3. Guy, “spinning and spunning” at the most hip clubs around, who thinks he’s an actual DJ but in utter actuality is just running the iTunes playlist of the top 100 dance numbers of the last six years that’s been, set on SHUFFLE.
Let’s take the list for instance:
1. “Rise Up” by Yves Larock
2. “I Gotta Feeling” by Kala Aankh Matar aka Black Eye Peas
3. “Stereo Love” by Edward Maya & Vika Jiguilina
4. And of course, “Baby” by “Bieber”
What do these have in common…
1. They were released aeons ago and yet continue to be played roughly about every 10 minutes in every pub, lounge, bar- there is;
2. Unfit for human consumption, they are just too terrible to be branded as pop songs;
3. They are all meant for the “Beliebers”;
4. They are played ad nauseam in every club (that are supposedly hip and happening);
5. ALL or NONE of the above (we don’t care, since choosing any of them means you suck)
And now do you get the picture;
All we’re telling you is that we are just sick (we could puke at times) of these songs and the 5 other pseudo-house-music tracks you insist on subjecting us to day in and day out. So we are requesting you, no begging you to go on to this thing called “INTERNET” which apparently is as foreign to you as an actual turntable and seek out genuine- “new” music.
We are made to understand that you are under the impression that we- you’re most valuable and we are guessing the only leftovers- audience only listens and cheers to utterly cheesy dance music, pop tracks- but there are far many more who DON’T.
And we insist on you taking heed “ASAP”.
Image Courtesy: bigmouthsonline.com
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Its out- Blue is in this season. But then, calling Blue a hot new trend for the Spring Summer-2011 is like calling Al Pacino an upcoming actor. Nevertheless, the color blue is a fad this summer. And we blame Avatar for it. Or not!
Must haves Blue in you wardrobe:
Blue Trench coat
Made for the torrential rains that we dread walking under, a trench coat is a versatile, chic and polished answer to that. From swing styles, short models to knee length, the trendy trench coat comes in corduroys, satin and our personal favorite denim. Comfort is the key to carrying off a trench.
Blue Jacket
A terrific option to spike up your drab look is a bright Blue jacket. A light-weight jacket when indoors, for the cranked up conditioning and a fleece jacket to beat the wind outdoors, is must have for the closet.
Denim jackets are a complete no-no.
Blue Suit
Nothing suits a man better than a well-fitted Suit. Opt for a Navy Blue suit or Blue Pinstripes. You could also dress your Navy Blue Blazer with just any type of trouser, even Denims.
If you seek a flawless look, then look up the buttons on your blazer. If they are gold, then match the buckle of your belt and watch accordingly in gold. Opt for silver accessories otherwise.
Blue Rimmed Glares
Since the time Top Gun happened, Aviators happened. This season give a touch of the cool Blue to the vintage Aviators. Blue tints on the lenses are also welcome.
Blue Sneakers
Dark Blue Sneakers are in fashion. Dark Blue Sneakers with weird art on it are not. Get a pair and transform the White Tee and Jeans look.
Whether you decide to dress up with Blue Suits or dress down in Blue Sneakers, make sure you make others GO GREEN WITH ENVY.
Prestige, The Man Store, is your one stop shop for all the BLUES you want.
Prestige- The Man Store
The Man Store-#165, Commercial Street, Bangalore-1
Tel-08025588599/25588600
Now also at Mantri Square
UGF, Mantri Square, Malleshwaram, Bangalore-3
]]>Where is Simpoo Singh??? Does anybody know? Kya kissi ko pata hai ??
Metro Monkey is on a mission to find the original turbanator; Sodhi Sir urf Simpoo Singh according to our underground sources has gone missing. On a thorough probe Metro Monkey got in touch with all his students, fans, followers and whoever else thinks he is ‘the man’, to find his whereabouts.
Talking first to the infamous Pankazzz “Bhai, zeh dekho – zeh hain hamaare Maths teacher Simpoo Singh Sodhi. Unka full name hai S.S. Sodhi, but we simply call him Simpoo (Sir). Mathematics ke saath saath he also teaches music and dancing. Abh pata nahi kahan ghoom gaya hai ! he is lost and we are lost too.”
S. S Sodhi Urf Simpoo Singh hamare bahut close teacher hain. “Mujhe yaad ai , ek baar maine Lavleen ko imprerss karney key liye “Pankazz” ka joke mara tha class main, aur phir Simpoo ne mere haath upar khade kar diye!!” Says a sad Neerazzz. “Main Simpoo sir ko bahut miss karta hoon , please come back sir.” =(
Talking to the hottie of the class, Mona who was Simpoo sirs pet student , she says “Simpoo ne mujhe acting aur dancing dono sikhayi aur it was because of him I got through the Oprah wala show (Sobs and cries) Mujhe hamare Simpoo sir wapas chahiye..” (Sobs more and more) “ mera make up bhi kharb ho gaya !! Thanks to you Bandhar kahin ka, pura senti and emo kardiya aapne.”
Simpoo singh has not only taught at a lot of schools but also had the opportunity of working with top bollywood legends such as Veeru , Mogambo , (In fact, “Mogambo Khush hua” was his brainchild), Gabbar , Thakur and Mr. India.
Talking to Gabbar on the occasion of Simpoo sir’s absence, this is what he had to say.
Gabbar – (Evil Lauhgther) Ha ha ha ha ha ha , Yeh haath mujhe dey dey Thaakur .. ha ha ha ha ha ha … Haan bolo Metro Monkey tumhain kya sazza chahiye !
MM - So Mr Gabbar – How do you feel that your inspiration Simpoo is missing? Who will guide and teach you now ? Aur Samba ka kya hoga ?
Gabbar –Usne maa ka doodh nahi piya , he lost focus , saala gayab ho gaya ..(Laughs out aloud)
MM – Kahan Gayab ho gaya ?
Gabbar – No Idea .. hahahah
Stalker Bachhan - Get Idea
MM – Fuck off Stalker saaley
The MM team had to leave the place because of security issues… Moving on we spoke to another one of his students who goes with the name Kumar, one of the biggest known lead vocalist in the Bollywood industry today. He trained for countless number of hours under Simpoo Singh.
MM – Kumar ji, how do you feel for the loss of Simpoo singh
Kumar- (Angrily, sings and talks) Woh siraf chutti pey gaye hain, Mujhe FB par message bheja tha.
MM – Arre wah ! So when is he going to be back.
Kumar – Ze humain pata nahi !! Ze siraf waqt hi batayega ki Sodhi wapas kab ayega, tab tak key liye .. Booyyysssssss !!!!!!
The Metro Monkey team is sending its prayers to all the gods available to bring back Simpoo Singh. To all those who agree with us, do leave us a comment on our Facebook page.
Image Courtesy – www.merifilmz.com
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‘Say hello to my maniacally large friend’, Raja Man Singh would have bellowed hellishly, standing atop his high stoned watch tower, scouring the open lands around around the Jaigar fort for anybody that dared venture into his kingdom. It is both fortunate and unfortunate that he never found reason to say those words. Fortunate, because his rule was never threatened. Unfortunate, because he never got to use his monstrous weapon, all enemies feared wandering anywhere close to Raja Man Singh’s fort in Amer, Rajasthan, where the abominable Jaivana Cannon stood grimly, lying in wait to unleash its infernal carnage.
The jaivana Cannon is said to be the largest cannon ever to be made in ancient warfare history. Raja Man Singh commissioned a set of skilled works-men from the royal foundry to bring to life a devastating weapon masterminded by him in 1720.
The gigantic cannon weighed 50 tonnes and rested on 6 humongous wheels said to be manned by either 6 burly bulls or 4 elephants, each wheel had a circumference of 9 feet. The cannon extended out 30 feet with a barrel of 2o feet. Specifically molded screws of 8 feet in length were fitted to its base for elevation and lowering. The circumference at the tip of the barrel is close to 7 feet 4 inches.
Almost ironically, the Cannon has floral designs etched on it. Intricately chiseled elephants adorn the tip of the barrel, a pair of peacocks are spread across the center and two ducks stretch out towards the rear of the barrel.
100 Kg gun powder was fed to blast an iron ball weighing 50 Kg. Historians recount the only time this massive cannon was fired- it was decided that a test fire would be shot towards a small village called Chaksu which was 22 km away. The jaivana was rolled out into an open field and its direction set. Raja Man Singh and some men from his court assembled about 50 meters away from the Cannon to avoid the recoil force and the heat wave caused upon firing. A pit was dug out and filled with water for the handler to jump into just before the Cannon blasted.
On Raja Man Singh’s signal, the cannon was fired with a deafening, thunderous roar, the handler who fired it collapsed dead even before he could find time to jump into the safety of the water pit. The Cannon ball was said to have traveled past its target, close to about 40 kms away from Jaigar fort. The impact was such that a crater had opened up at the place it landed, becoming a pond in the years to come. One historian noted that a woman suffered a miscarriage as she was near its firing location. It was never used again.
The huge Jaivana Cannon stands still at the Jaigar fort as wood workers attempt to restore its wheel base, reminding one of the immense mass destruction the ancient Indian rulers could cause by the mere wave of a hand.
Image Courtesy: farm1.static.flickr.com
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What happened next, you ask? The King walked away with the crown.
The stirring story of a reluctant king and his tribulations has won laurels indisputably. Leading up to the Oscars, The King’s Speech won thirteen awards including one Golden Globe for Best Actor in a Leading Role and seven BAFTA awards. The film garnered 12 Oscar nominations and finally earned 4- the maximum won by a single film this year at the Oscars.
The historical drama has grossed over $260 million worldwide and also helped Weinstein- the Production House, restore its days of glory. Weinstein was on the verge of collapse but The King’s Speech changed the equations completely. As one of the surprise hits this year, the small-budget film is only warming up to all the publicity post Sunday night at the Oscars.
Interestingly, there’s much more to the film than already written about. David Seidler, the Academy Award winning screenplay writer stammered as a child. Listening to the speeches by George VI (the film is based on him) on the radio inspired Seidler to fight his own impairment. Seidler also met the son of the real speech therapist, who showed Seidler his father’s papers. Seidler met the Queen Mother before scripting. She had requested Seidler that the film, not be made during her lifetime since the events would bring back sad memories. Queen Mother passed away in 2002.
A family friendly version of the film was rolled out after deleting certain scenes. One of them being- the scene where Bertie (George VI) is asked by his speech therapist Lionel Logue (Geoffrey Rush) to utter expletives in order to improve his stutter. The new King feared that his stutter would not make his speech rousing enough to move the British Empire.
A scene featuring the death of King George V was deleted too. The death of the King was hastened with cocaine and morphines so that the news could be made public the next day. Sensing controversy, the scene was deleted.
A heart wrenching tale of a man’s fight against his shortcomings and the hardships- The King’s Speech is worth a watch!
Image Courtesy: www.latinoreview.com
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