Choosing a Paddling Jacket

By Jeff Hendrix

A paddling jacket can be a difficult choice to make when getting ready to go out kayaking. The best analogy for how a paddling jacket works is that it is the top half or a dry suit. It will provide a layer of waterproof material between your wetsuit and the outside water. This will keep you from getting random splashes of cold water poured all over you as you kayak and keep your upper torso much warmer. Warm days can mean that you will not need a paddling jacket at all, but as soon as the weather turns cold you are going to greatly appreciate having that layer of protection.

When it get s really cold you can add a sweater or other ways to stay warm in between your wetsuit and drysuit. Choose carefully what sweater you wear though, make sure its one that will still insulate you when wet. Any paddling jacket or dry top will not keep you fully dry if you flip the kayak if you go for a swim. If you need protection to that degree, you need to look into a drysuit.

If you are confused about what a paddling jacket is and what a dry top is, it has to do with their degree of waterproofing. Both jackets have all their seams and cuffs with some sort of seal to protect you from having water pour in, but often times on paddling jackets they are not as thourough or as well protected as they could be. On a dry suit, they have a waterproof zipper as well as a very tight fitting gaskets and seals at every opening, on the neck, bottom, and both wrists. This will keep you totally dry in even the worst conditions. They will however not protect you in event of a swim.

Read more whitewater kayaking information at our whitewater kayaking website http://www.white-waterkayak.com/Article

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What to Wear With a Men's Blazer Jacket

By Antonio Centeno

The beauty of the men's blazer is that it goes with almost anything. For the purpose of this discourse, by blazer we mean a classic single-breasted navy wool coat with brass buttons. Over gray flannel slacks, a white button-down oxford shirt and a striped tie, it makes a classic outfit that in the United States registers just shy of a suit on the formality scale. On the weekend, the same blazer over chinos and a polo shirt makes a very smart casual outfit. In this article we will discuss some basic means of wearing a men's blazer jacket for work and leisure.

If you work in a business casual office, the blazer gives you a simple solution to the tricky problem of dressing respectably without appearing aloof. In a workplace dominated by polo shirts and khakis, the man who has the class to throw a blazer on over the ensemble looks distinctive without standing out. A dress shirt with a button-down collar and gray flannels are also worthy accompaniments for a blazer; add a tie to take it up a notch. A point collar shirt formalizes the ensemble a tad more, and here one should stop. Contrast collars really belong under a suit, and even if the formality of French cuffs were not an issue, having cuff-links next to brass sleeve buttons creates a discordant clash. For footwear, bluchers, loafers, and monk-strap dress shoes are all good options.

The outfits described above are also smart choices for dinner in a nice restaurant or a morning religious service. In fact, the blazer will serve you well for most weekend activities, from taking in a play in most American cities to cheering on a girls' softball team. It looks aristocratic and dignified over an ecru turtleneck and your trusty gray flannels; for a laid-back look in the summer wear it with off-white pants and a bright polo. While it is perfectly acceptable to wear a blazer with jeans, and indeed the combination can look very stylish, one must take care that pants and coat are not too close in color. This goes for any jacket and pants combination: if it's not a suit, it shouldn't look like one from a distance.

When it comes to dress shirts, as said above a button-down oxford is the classic. Besides solids, a broad variety of stripes and checks, including many that would look garish with a suit, mix well with a blazer. The latter's dark, solid fabric looks good next to just about anything, and the shiny buttons amply counterweight bold patterns. For a more casual look go with a long-sleeve polo shirt or a turtleneck depending on the climate. The urbane silk tee-shirt and tight-fitting knit shirt tend to clash in their modernity with the blazer's long heritage, and work better with a suit jacket.

In cooler weather, you way want to don a sweater under your blazer jacket. If you're going without a tie, a cable-knit or argyle crew-neck will add some life to the outfit. The V-neck worn over a tie may also be patterned or textured, but can be solid as well.

A few words on neckwear and accessories: the tie you wear with a blazer should be in keeping with its sporty dressiness. Woven silks in polka dots, bold stripes, and other simple patterns do this grandly, as do knits of silk or wool. The bowtie with white shirt and blue blazer looks sophisticated on the few men who know precisely how and when to wear it, but goofy on most everyone else. Beyond ties, any pocket square that harmonizes with the rest of the outfit adds a dash of style. For younger men, it will also ensure that a blazer and white shirt don't look like a prep school uniform. For belts, follow the old rule: match leather to leather, metal to metal. That means brown with brown shoes, although it can be a different shade of brown, and black with black. The buckle should be brass to coordinate with the buttons.

As you can see, the possibilities with a blazer really are endless. It is perhaps the best investment a man can make in his wardrobe, as it virtually doubles the choices he has each morning when getting dressed. It will serve nobly in a wide range of situations, and never go out of style.

Antonio Centeno is president of A Tailored Suit, an online American boutique fine-clothing merchant specializing in bespoke men's suits, shirts, jackets, and overcoats. He and his partners launched the company with the mission of helping men create the clothing that best enhances their individual style. Antonio has studied men's clothing design in London, Hong Kong, and Bangkok. He is a former Marine Corps Officer and holds an MBA from the University of Texas at Austin and a BA from Cornell College.


To read more articles about classic men's style, please visit http://www.atailoredsuit.com and visit the company's style guide.

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Buying a Motorcycle Jacket

By Rachel Spohn

The clothes that motorcyclists wear are as much a part of the culture as the bikes themselves. But this apparel is meant to do much more than look cool; motorclothes are more about protection than any other consideration. For the most guaranteed protection, a strong leather jacket is a must for motorcyclists. Why? For two main reasons: (1) It will keep you warm and ventilated, and (2) If you hit the ground it will protect your skin from road rash better than any other material.

One of the most important aspects to take into consideration when you buy a motorcycle jacket--or any other type of motorcycle gear, for that matter--is comfort. An uncomfortable rider is a distracted one, which can lead to accidents and injuries. Take the time to shop around to find a jacket that fits you comfortably. If possible, take your bike with you and test-drive your jacket by sitting on the bike as you normally would. Are the shoulders too snug and don't allow for maximum movement? Can you comfortably zip up the jacket without feeling constricted? Are the arms of the jacket long enough to cover the space between it and the tops of your gloves? Asking yourself important questions like these can prevent an accident, and will ensure that you actually continue to wear the equipment after purchasing it. Remember, your protection is at stake if you choose an ill-fitting jacket that distracts you from the road ahead of you.

Buying the motorcycle jacket that is right for you doesn't have to be hard, but if you take the time to find the right one, you can get your money's worth, be protected, and enjoy your ride for years to come. Always keep this in mind: The correct gear will provide you with comfort and protection from the elements and help in case of an accident.

G R Harley (http://www.grharley.com/category_s/29.htm) is an official Harley-Davidson motorclothes dealer that offers the Harley-Davidson men's leather jacket you need to complement your biking lifestyle. Rachel Spohn is a freelance writer.

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