Some people say that clothes make the man. We wouldn't go that far, but taking a little interest in your personal style can certainly have an impact on how others see you and boost your self confidence. It can be difficult to know where to start, so Timbercreek Communities has put together a style guide for men. Try it on for size!

Streamline

Most people have a tendency to hang on to old clothing items “just in case” they'll need them later. You won’t. If you haven’t worn it during the past year, chances are you won’t wear it this year either. Do some late season spring closet cleaning and throw out or give away anything you haven’t worn in over a year. It will de-clutter your closet and free up space for the new or old items that you actually wear.

Step Into Some Colour

Fact: there are more shoe colours than brown and black. So go ahead guys, have a little fun with colour! If you are uncertain about what colour shoes to wear with what colour pants, this handy reference chart takes the guess work and memorization out of the equation.

Gym Shoes Are For The Gym

Speaking of shoes, remember this: gym shoes are for the gym. Sure they’re more comfortable but nothing dresses you down more quickly than trudging around town in gym shoes. Invest in a comfortable walking shoe. Your feet and your fashion sense will thank you.

Scope Out A Fashion Show

If you’re looking for some guidance to step up your style, you don’t need to fly to New York, Paris or Milan to attend a fashion show. Flip through a slideshow of images from a men’s fashion show online, or browse some street style photos. You might just be inspired by the latest trends.

Clean Your Wallet Out Regularly

A big, bulky wallet is bad for your back, uncomfortable to sit on, and cumbersome to carry around. It can can also throw off the lines of your clothing. Just as you do with your closet, make sure you clean out your wallet regularly and lose anything you don’t use. You’ll feel a little a lighter and more streamlined.

Timbercreek hopes this style guide for men helps you look and feel your best. To help find your home with Timbercreek Communities, please visit our website.

The term business casual is hard to define. From dress shirts and chinos to t-shirts and jeans, there are many interpretations of the term. For employees of companies that still require that men wear weekday suits to the office, business casual may mean no-jacket Fridays. Many businesses today have flexible dress codes, while some have no dress codes at all. If you’re unsure of what your version of casual men’s attire looks like, Timbercreek has some questions and considerations that will help you out.

Is It Business?  Or Is It Casual?

Many feel it's a faux pas to assume any outfit with a blazer qualifies as business casual.  As Restart Your Style points out, business casual is still a dress code for business.  As such, dressing up a casual outfit isn't the goal: making semi-formal business attire more casual and comfortable is. Check out more here.

Jeans Don't Count

John Mayer popularized the blazer-over-hoodie-with-jeans look in the mid-2000s. While the ‘put a blazer on it’ mentality certainly upsells some looks, for many, it just doesn’t cut it as business casual. While jeans are great, and many office environments today promote them, if you're going to wear them to work it’s best to stick to a high quality pair. Opt for new, dark, unripped jeans, and leave the hoodie at home -- unless you skateboard for a living.

Programmer Chic

In the tech industry, home and "remote" work are on the rise. If you work remotely, and rarely meet with clients and colleagues, there’s no need for a closet full of office attire. For the rare times you do have to venture out, it’s good to have some clothing to wear that matches the style of your colleagues or clients,whether that be dress pants or jeans depends on them.

Google Grade

While Google isn't the only company doing it (Twitter, Facebook, and Apple for example), they set the bar for the ping-pong office. With foosball, video games, yoga, DJing, and scheduled play among many strategies to improve performance and promote employee culture, dress codes have followed suit. In fact, one of Google’s philosophies is that 'you can be serious without a suit.' Learn more here.

No Single Answer

One traditional definition suggests "business casual for men means wearing a pair of smart pants [i.e. slacks, chinos, or dress pants], a collared shirt, a sweater or blazer, and relaxed but elegant shoes." “Another author wrote in the Financial Times that ‘ordinarily business casual for guys seems fairly clear. It is a pair of chinos, a blazer and a good shirt, no tie.’" But the reality is, every industry is different. The traditional approach may apply to careers in finance and government, but in software development, advertising, design, and any kind of freelance work, the rules have changed. One key point to remember however: when interviewing, meeting a client, attending a performance review, or otherwise making an impression, it never hurts to dress up. Read more here and here.

Timbercreek hopes this list helps you understand casual men’s attire. For more information about Timbercreek Communities in your city, please visit our website.

Lunch is over and the end of the day seems very far away, you’ve hit the dreaded midday slump. You can reach for sugary snacks or caffeine to push through, but they can make the crash even worse and aren’t great solutions to the problem. To help you power through your busy day, Timbercreek Communities has 10 natural ways to get over the midday slump.

Stretch

These quick and simple stretches, that you can do at your desk, will help you fight fatigue. They will send some oxygen to your brain, relieve stressed muscles and give you bit of a boost when you need it.

Power Up with Protein

Instead of stuffing yourself with carbs when you hit the midday slump, power up with protein snacks. Keep some raw nuts, trail-mix or beef jerky nearby to power through the afternoon.

Lighten Up

Getting exposure to natural light is crucial for maintaining our energy levels. If you can’t work by a window, try heading to a coffee shop or talking a short stroll outside.

Make a Splash

Go into the bathroom and splash some cold water on your face if you need to wake yourself up fast.

Stand and Deliver

Rather than sending an email to your coworker, try walking over and talking to them. It will give you the chance to stretch your legs and take a much needed screen break.

Screen Breaks

Staring at a screen all day can cause eye strain and fatigue. Every 20 minutes, take a break at stare at something 20 feet away while blinking your eyes for 20 seconds.

Walking and Talk

Instead of taking that one on one meeting sitting down, take it to the streets and walk as you talk.

Catnap

Sometimes, nothing but a nap will do. It’s not slacking off, a 10-20 minute power nap can leave you feeling more alert and actually boost your productivity.

Fuel Up

Eating a healthy breakfast can help you avoid a 2pm crash, especially when you combine that with a smaller, less carb-heavy lunch.

Meditate at Your Desk

Just a few minutes of meditation can boost your energy and reduce your stress levels. Give it a try and see how you feel.

Don’t let exhaustion steal your day! Timbercreek Communities hopes that these 10 natural ways to get over the midday slump energize your afternoon.

For more information on Timbercreek Communities across Canada, please visit our website.