5 Skills Everyone Should Know

Sometimes you don't have any other option but to do it yourself, here is a how-to guide for some tedious but very important tasks.

Patch A Radiator Hose
A temporary fix, but an important one none the less.


Wait for the engine to cool off. Open the hood and locate the source of the steam—i.e., the rupture (A). Clean and dry the area around the fissure; the tape won’t stick as well on a damp, dirty surface.

Wrap 2 to 3 in. of duct tape around the hose over the hole; press firmly (B).

Overwrap the patch (the hose will be under intense pressure) from 2 to 3 in. above the original piece to about 2 or 3 in. below, then work your way back (C). Check your radiator level before cranking the engine. “If it’s seriously low and you don’t have a can of coolant, use water or, in an emergency, diet soda,” says Tony Molla of the National Institute of Automotive Service Excellence and former pro wrench jockey. “Avoid using fruit juice or anything with sugar or acids in it. It’ll corrode the radiator and hoses.”


Back Up a Trailer (sin spotter)
Because someone might not always be there to guide you!


If you’re doing this without a spotter, put your left hand at six o’clock on the steering wheel, and drape your right hand over the seatback. As you back up, move your steering hand in the direction you want the trailer to go.

Perform CPR
You just never know.


Phone for help, then look and listen for the victim’s breathing. Open the airway by tilting the head back and lifting the chin so the teeth almost touch.

Pinch both nostrils closed; bend your head over his face and fully cover his mouth with yours. Give two full rescue breaths, making sure to breathe deeply.

Place your dominant hand on the middle of the victim’s chest. Put your other hand on top and interlock your fingers. Straighten your arms and begin compressing the chest 112 to 2 in. with the heels of your hands. Continue the compression/breathing cycle, compressing 30 times and then breathing twice, until the person starts breathing or help arrives.


Get a Car Unstuck
Or you could just call AAA


When you’re stuck, don’t gun the engine to get out—the tires will only dig in deeper. Instead, straighten the steering wheel, then dig out as much sand, snow or mud from around the front or rear of the tires as you can, depending on the direction you want to go. Place a floor mat snugly under a portion of each drive wheel (if your vehicle is 4wd, position a mat under each wheel). Ease the vehicle onto the mats. If there’s a passenger, have him push the vehicle in the direction you want to go. Repeat the procedure as needed, slowly progressing in the direction of travel until the vehicle is free.


Build a Campfire
If you can't get your car unstuck, you might have to camp!


To find dry fuel, look for standing deadwood and broken branches stuck in tree limbs, says Tom Laskowski, director of Midwest Native Skills Institute. Place the material next to your cheek; if it feels cool, it’s too wet to burn efficiently. To fuel a 1-hour fire, gather two large fistfuls of tinder—such as cattail down and crushed pine needles—and about 30 twigs, 20 pencil-size sticks and 10 wrist-thick pieces. Form a tepee with three 6-in.-tall sticks and place smaller sticks on the floor as a platform for the tinder. Lean the smallest sticks on the tepee, leaving a doorway to face the wind. Place the next size of sticks on top; repeat twice. Pack the tepee with the tinder and light it. Slowly add the 10 largest sticks in a star pattern.

For more essential talents check out Popular Mechanics how-to guide.

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Designer 101

You hear the names, see the ads and perhaps even own a few pieces of their lines, but do you really know how Kenneth Cole got his start or the role Ralph Lauren played in the fashion void of the 1970s?

Here are some facts behind the label you might not have known.

Ralph Lauren

It’s Lor-en, not La-ren, and in many fashion circles you reveal your ignorance by mispronouncing his name. As a culture we owe much to Ralph Lauren for defining American style. We also have him to blame for the wide-tie craze in the early 1970s, which is now beginning to resurface. But he can be forgiven for this because he continually reinvents classic American fashion within his empire.

When his preppy-inspired suits became too commonplace in the late 1980s he brought out the Purple Label by Ralph Lauren for the 1990s, which fused the best of Savile Row with American sensibility. When the Purple Label became too prolific the Black Label was born, adding a dash of mystery and jet-set cocktail style with supple black leathers and evening wear. If you’re not sure where you fit in with big-name designers, you can’t go wrong with Ralph. His line is so exhaustive and full of colors for various skin tones and body types that any man can walk into one of his stores and walk out with a new wardrobe from head to toe.

Kenneth Cole

You know the name, but do you know he learned the craft of shoemaking with his own hands in Europe before coming home to change the shoe market? Today, Kenneth Cole is still about the shoes, but his leather jackets and accessories -- such as briefcases and watches -- are unbeatable for value, longevity and pure style. If you travel often for work or play, this is the line for you; a Kenneth Cole ensemble looks just as good in Milan as it does in L.A. or Sao Paolo. The cut of the clothes are for the fit and active man on the go, so be sure to visit one of his stores to try on everything.

Giorgio Armani

Forget about the price tags; Armani style is about cut, drape and fabric. The clothing moves with your body and not against it -- as the garments of so many of his imitators often do. He is so well-known today that the name has become code for "money." But the truth is that Armani would prefer you just wore his clothes in your everyday down-to-earth life, which is why he uses muted tones of blue, gray and black in each collection. The clothes are crafted with luxurious Italian simplicity, and once you learn the touch and feel of Armani you can see it coming a mile away.

Dolce & Gabbana

Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana have transformed casual elegance into pure sexuality. They infuse their clothes with vitality and continental cool. They offer those distressed jeans you’ll need for that weekend getaway to a new city.

D&G denotes a carefree urban lifestyle. Unlike Armani who champions simplicity, D&G is all about being seen and recognized. You wear the clothes as a statement of style-consciousness. But this line is not for everyone; these edgy clothes belong on those who have a bit of edge themselves.

Hugo Boss

Hugo Boss began making raincoats and coveralls for the German workforce in 1923, but didn’t make its first foray into men’s suits until 1953. Since then the line has grown and become known for well-proportioned shoulder drapes in black, dark grays and dark blues.

It is often suggested that a dark blue suit will get any man through any occasion, but sometimes only a black three-button suit will do. This is where Hugo Boss becomes indispensable to your wardrobe. A blue suit might serve you well through a string of summer weddings, but a strong black suit emits power, elegance and, when worn well with a smile, it also conveys confidence. Hugo Boss also has a line of modern sport clothes for tennis, golf and other continental pursuits, but the suit is the most important here. If you need only one suit in your closet that can be paired with white or deep blue shirts and a small collection of subtle ties, your only option is Boss.


Founded in 1856, Thomas Burberry found himself providing clothing for British officers in the First World War after inventing and obtaining a patent for gabardine (a water-resistant fabric). Today, the line is famous and recognizable for its signature plaid of brown, red and dark cream hues. Revamped by Christopher Bailey, the Burberry line contains bespoke suits and sophisticated sport clothes.

The Burberry Golf line is perhaps the best thing to happen to golf attire in over a century. If you have a big outing planned and need to impress, find a pair of Burberry trousers in the classic plaid and pair it with a black or brown golf shirt. Then again, you could just spring for a whole new set of clubs in a Burberry bag with a plaid umbrella and a plethora of accoutrements. To wear Burberry is to revisit classic men’s clothes with updated fabrics and cuts. It’s not quite preppy, but it’s not as modernly brash as D&G either. In short: Burberry is timeless without being stuffy.

A crash course brought to you by the folks at AskMen.com.

To shop cufflinks click here.

Go Green!

St. Patrick's Day is just around the corner, be sure and pick up your green gear before you get pinched! Cufflinks.com wants to help you out with a great selection AND (yes there's an and) a coupon! Enter coupon code patty09 for $5 off your order.


To celebrate St. Patrick's Day in style click here!

Happy Shopping and don't forget to enter coupon code patty09 at checkout for $5 off your order!

This Day in History: March 6, 1899

On this day in 1899, the Imperial Patent Office in Berlin registers Aspirin, the brand name for acetylsalicylic acid, on behalf of the German pharmaceutical company Friedrich Bayer & Co.


Did you know...
Aspirin, the most common drug in household medicine cabinets, was originally made from a chemical found in bark from willow trees.

Here are a few fashion to function cufflinks that are a must have for anyone who has ever gotten an ache.


This ingenious rhodium plated cufflink has a screw-down lid which once removed reveals a handy compartment for storing a headache pill. The lid itself is milled to mimic the shape of an aspirin.

Cufflinks by Simon Carter.



The Covert Pill Holder Cufflinks resemble a pair of black bordered locket cufflinks. But once opened they feature something much better than a picture! Sized for a round aspirin, these cufflinks look chic and hold relief! The perfect combo.

Cufflinks by Tateossian London.


To shop functional cufflinks click here.

Four Fashionable Folds

Men have few accessories they can add to their wardrobe to pull off that complete look. Cufflinks are one accessory that definitely pulls that off. Pocket squares are another.

Adding a dash of color has the ability to make your outfit truly unique and different folds add a fresh look to any suit.


Duchamp London pocket Squares are hand made in England from 100% silk cloth and woven from the finest silk yarns available at only the best mills in Italy and England.


The stylists to the stars know it's hip to be square as pocket squares graced the red carpet for this year's Oscars.


For those who haven't the first clue about the power of the pocket, here is a handy guide to the four most fashionable folds.

The One Point is your standard issue pocket square fold for everyday wear with a conservative suit or a retro-cut suit with a narrow lapel.



Lay your pocket square flat with one facing up and the other corner down.


Fold the bottom corner to meet the top corner.


Fold the left corner to the right.



Repeat with the opposite corner folding left to right and place in jacket...


The Four Point pocket square fold is best suited for a double-breasted suit or a sport coat. The look reinforces the design of the double-breasted jacket shape.

Lay your pocket square flat with one corner facing up and one corner facing down.


Fold the bottom corner up to the top just to the left of the top corner.
Fold the left side towards the right, and up to the right of the "middle peak".

Fold the right side toward the left, and up to the left of the "second peak" and place in jacket pocket...



The Square fold it the best option for a tuxedo jacket of any cut or a black suit worn to a formal occasion. The fold is simplicity at its finest.

Lay your pocket square flat with the two top corners horizontal.

Fold the left side over the right side.
Fold the bottom up just short of the top and place in jacket pocket...



The Puff fold is great for those days when you forgot the tie, but want a dash of style to stand out from the crowd.

Lay the pocket square flat with top 2 corners horizontal, pinch the middle and pick it up.

As you pick the square up, fold in the sides as the images shows.

With one hand firmly hold the pocket square, use your other hand to gently gather it closed.
Now gather the bottom of the pocket square and tuck as needed when placing in your jacket pocket...


For more folding techniques click here.

Need Pocket Squares?

Future of Mens Formal Wear

While New York fashion week has its good designs but, avant-garde doesn't usually leap right off the runway and find its way into the mans domain. However, some emerging trends relevant to formal wear were seen at fashion week and definitely worth mentioning.

NEW YORK FASHION TRENDS
On the surface, fashion runway shows seem anything but practical. Peer past the spectacle and fanfare, however, and menswear presentations offer plenty of clues regarding future trends that all men can use to update their own wardrobes. AM will be seeking them out next at Montreal’s fashion week in early March.

Cuffed Pants

Our first glimpse of a cuffed comeback came in Quantum of Solace: the clean lines of Mr. Bond’s Tom Ford-designed suit concluded in a pair of neat pant cuffs, complete with hidden button tabs to maintain the perfect break. For his fall 2009 collection, Italian menswear designer Domenico Vacca followed 007’s lead; his elegantly tailored suits were cinched off with cuffed legs, making them all the more crisp. This emerging style isn’t limited to suits -- provided you stick to a slim cut, a pair of casual cuffed pants will pair very nicely with a classic white oxford shirt (squared off with rolled-up sleeves).

Crumpled Jackets

After years of being paired with jeans, the sports jacket has again settled into its heritage as a casual garment. Form has followed function, and the jackets on display at New York Fashion Week were loose, baggy and deconstructed. Diesel may have taken the crumpled aesthetic a bit far with their built-in stains (pictured above), but we like the thinking behind it. Our recommendation for a sloppy but sharp sport jacket is the Woolrich Woolen Mills Pen Jacket.

Denim
From Bastian’s Walt Whitman-themed event to the jazz background of the Diesel show, American heritage was a consistent theme at New York Fashion Week. And when it comes to menswear, nothing is more American than a pair of beat-up jeans. Enter Justin Timberlake, a pretty boy who has nonetheless earned our admiration: first by hooking up with Jessica Biel, and then by launching the William Rast fashion label. JT’s contribution to the Americana movement took the form of leather and denim. Of particular note were the short-cut denim jackets (pictured above), and though the William Rast models are a bit out of most men’s price range, both UNIQLO and The Gap offer very smart, well priced versions.


Shop cufflinks click here.

How to Choose the Perfect Watch

The best approach to finding that perfect watch is first understanding the lingo involved. There are 5 key terms you need to know to get started.



1. Complication
Any function of a watch that goes beyond simple timekeeping. Could be an annual or lunar calendar, could be something as basic as a stopwatch.
2. Movement
All those bits and pieces inside that run the thing.
3. Quartz
A movement powered by a battery and regulated by the oscillations of a quartz crystal. It’s way more accurate than other watch types—which isn’t to say we necessarily recommend you buy one.
4. Self-winding
A type of mechanical watch, containing a rotor on a pivot, that’s wound by the day-to-day movements of the wearer’s wrist. It’s also referred to as automatic.
5. Water-resistant
Just because a watch says it’s water-resistant doesn’t mean you should swim or shower with it on. To be safe, only do so if it’s water-resistant up to one hundred meters.

Now that you know the lingo...



The best watch is a classic. Some designs you can't go wrong with include Rolex, Omega and Cartier.

If you want to go with a more laid back vintage look here are some tips:
Buy from a reputable dealer whether you are looking to buy a $500 or a $50,000 watch. The International Watch and Jewelry Guild and Jewelers of America are among the best trade organizations out there.

Ask for papers. If you have the original serial numbers and documentation used they can add enormous value to your new to you watch.

Maybe a classic or vintage just aren't your style. Check out this article from Men.Style.com for more ideas.

One way to tell time while still staying fashionable are these Retro Deco Watch Cufflinks.


Actual working watch cufflinks in a funky art deco design. Shiny rhodium plated silver casing houses a real working clock on a black face.

Cufflinks by Tateossian London and available at www.CuffLinks.com

To shop other watch cufflinks click here.