I just got off the phone with a friend from high school who is working for Trunk Club, a Chicago-based website (and store) that’s essentially a personal shopping service for men. My heart kind of sank, as I clicked through their FAQs because, damn it, why didn’t I think of this first? I’ve spent innumerable hours sitting outside of dressing rooms with guy friends helping them shop. And I’ve never been paid for it (outside of lunch and the thrill of making other people spend money). Anyway, the premise is simple: You tell them a bit about you, about what you like and don’t like, along with the more practical details like your basic measurements, and they send you a trunk of clothes, which you can try on at home. If you like some of the pieces, you buy them. If you don’t, you send them back (shipping is free both ways). Pretty brilliant, since I don’t know that many men who actually like to shop. The styling looks appropriate and reasonable, too, i.e., they’re not trying to stuff men into skinny jeans, logo tees, or a surplus of complicated layers. One thing I learned during all those hand-holding shopping missions? Most guys don’t want to risk looking remotely foolish. And finally, another reason it’s bound to succeed: It was launched by one of the founders of Bonobos, the genius pants company that’s devoted to fit (and corduroy of every color).

Delicate jewelry is feminine and pretty, but with winter quickly approaching, I’m looking for heavy, masculine pieces (it might have to do with the tasseled loafers I’m wearing today). I like the overexaggerated size of the bracelets – they look like a men’s watch, right – and are just masculine enough. I’m planning on wearing these one at a time.

what else can i steal from men, clockwise l-r: MEN’S STAINLESS STEEL EXTRA WIDE ID BRACELET, $31.19, available at Sears; SILVER REAL MAN’S CHOICE – COPPER THERAPY CUFF, $19.95, available at BillyTheTree; LADY’S SQUARE CUT SIGNET RING, $28.00, available at Eve’s Addiction; MAISON MARTIN MARGIELA, $375.00, available at Saks Fifth Avenue.

men’s sneakers: CONVERSE MISSONI MEN’S CT SNEAKERS, $200.00, available at Aloha Rag.

My husband and I often find ourselves meandering the aisles at our nearby Target Greatlands every Sunday: For, you know, kitty litter, John Freida Brilliant Brunette shampoo, and Archer Farms pita chips and roasted almonds (their house brand rocks!). Invariably, we keep wandering (PlayStation games! Notebooks! Jewelry Cleaner!) until we’ve amassed at least $150 worth of stuff. Without fail. Lately, the same thing seems to be happening at Lululemon (where, granted, you can hit that mark with just two or three things). Everytime I go in, or click around on their site, I end up with some new cropped tights (I own EIGHT pairs already, and these things don’t seem to wear out), and a jewel-toned top. Rob buys Core shorts faster than I can wash them, and will now only wear Lululemon No Show Socks, because they don’t slip. Know what’s also awesome about Lululemon (besides the fact that their tights are super slimming and flattering)? Shipping is always free. So, spill: What’s your shopping Achilles’ heel?

Lululemon, clockwise l-r: LULULEMON ATHLETICA X-LONG RACERBACK TANK, $48.00, Lululemon Athletica; LULULEMON ATHLETICA DEEP BREATH TANK, $58.00, Lululemon Athletica; LULULEMON ATHLETICA RUN: INSPIRE CROP, $86.00, Lululemon Athletica; LULULEMON ATHLETICA CORE SHORTS, $58.00, Lululemon Athletica.

ease into fall: sweaters, l-r: MERINO V-NECK SWEATER, $59.00; COTTON SHAWL COLLAR SWEATER, $69.99. All available at Banana Republic.

Gone are the days where hibiscus flowers were the only print option for men who loved the surf and the sand. Now men’s swimwear offers more lengths and prints than ever before, which guarantees comfort and style for men of all kinds. We’ve gathered six of the most versatile pieces around to help men go from the sand onto the boardwalk with ease.

clockwise l-r. Penguin ‘Scalloped’ Volley Swim Trunks, $59 available at Nordstrom; Wesc Chuck Boardshorts, $68 available at Swell; Ambsn Popsicle Boardshort, $44.99 available at Swell; Ever Swim Trunks, $67.90 available at Nordstrom; Critical Slide Society Pocket Billiards Boardshorts, $54.99 available at Swell; O’Neill Victory Hybrid Shorts, $48.00 available at Swell.

We’ve chosen five different types of men and picked out the perfect Father’s Day gift for each.  Sure, there are more than five types and who’s to say what that perfect gift is; but, hopefully this will give you a great jumping off point.

1. The Sports Fanatic - Get him something that’ll let his pride shine.  We love these cuff links from Nordstrom that will let him root for his favorite team or school all year long.

UCLA Cuff Links

If he’s more involved is his sport, get him something that will enhance his experience, like this Nike Golf Glove; he and his hands will thank you.

Nike Golf Glove

2. The Fashionable Dad - A really trendy accessory from an even trendier store, like these Han Ed sunglasses from Blackbird or this trendy vintage field watch from bonobos, should do the trick.  He’ll be the coolest dad on the block with any one of these.

Han Ed sunglasses

Vintage Field Watch

3. The Grill Master – If your dad is always manning the grill at summer BBQs, consider getting him this book from Crate & Barrel called the Ribs, Chops, Steaks & Wings Cookbook.  He’ll be studying up and getting creative while the whole family reaps the benefits.

Ribs, Chops, Steaks & Wings Cookbook

4. The Outdoor Dad – The dads who consider themselves adventure junkies would love this Patagonia travel pack for any hikes or this Magellan Explorist GPS that’ll get them home safe and sound.

Patagonia Travel Pack

Magellan Explorist GPS

5. The Tech Geek Dad – Get him some gadgets he can brag to his friends about.  We’re partial to this Bose Home Theater System or the new white Apple iPad 2 that’ll  make him a cutting edge techie with all the latest and greatest.

Bose Home Theater System

White Apple iPad 2

When the weather gets warmer, shoe choices for men can get a little bit more varied.  There are different washes, linens, and styles that will help expedite any vacation.  Here are 5 of our favorite men’s summer shoes, all from Urban Outfitters, so they won’t break the bank!

Fred Perry Coxson Canvas Plimsoll Sneaker

Generic Surplus Borstal Plimsoll Sneaker

Slip-On Espadrilles

Vans Canvas Zapato Del Barco Sneaker

Sperry Washed Canvas Deck Shoe

Ladies, let’s face it.  When it comes to skincare we’re probably light years ahead of most of our male counterparts.  Enter ARCONA.  They’ve made it easy to give the most important men in our lives a healthy skincare solution that’s natural and effective. 

The ARCONA Men’s Starter Kit features a selection of favorites from the ARCONA Men’s Line.  This kit contains pretty much everything he could need and want, with explanations on how and when to use it. 

We’re thinking this would also make a great Father’s Day Gift because we’ve got it on the inside that even dads like a little pampering.  This deluxe kit includes:

• A daily cleansing and toning bar that incorporates Vitamin E and green and black tea extract to remove daily pollutants and deeply cleanse skin as it minimizes pores. 
• A powerful hydrator, rich in skin remodeling peptides, that reduces the appearance of fine lines and deeply moisturizes without clogging pores.
• An enzymatic exfoliating facial scrub that polishes and decongests enlarged pores, leaving skin clearer, smoother and more refined.
• A two-in-one toner for face and body that cleanses and tones skin, leaving it refreshed and restored. The effective cleansing formula is perfect for normal to oily skin types and helps to minimize breakouts.
• A powerful wrinkle-repair complex, rich in skin firming peptides, that helps reduce the visible signs of aging. Lightweight and unscented, this power packed formula is suited for both face and eye area.

Also, we’ve got another great giveaway coming up tomorrow that you won’t want to miss.  Stay tuned!

Summer may be hot and sticky, but it doesn’t mean that guys have to don flip flops and raggedy shorts everywhere they go.  Check out our tips for styling Men’s summer fashion that easy and timeless.

For men’s shorts, try to stay above the knee and shop for a tailored fit. Cuffed shorts look fresh and fashionable.  This is a fun way to wear a color you usually wouldn’t wear in a pant, like this washed-out red, to make your outfit look crisp and cool.

Polo Ralph Lauren Cut Off Chinos Short

Polo shirts are the usual go-to for short-sleeve tops for men, but we also love a simple men’s v-neck tee.  The material is much thinner than a polo and the low-cut front will be cooler than having a collar around your neck. 

Lacoste Men’s V-Neck T-Shirt

Men’s NSF Clothing Times V-Neck Tee

For shoes, we love the classic boat shoe.  There is nothing better than a man who takes the preppy boat shoe and puts his own stylish twist on them.  We like the salt wash on these Sperry Top-Sider Men’s Halyard boat shoes–they look nonchalant and worn in!

Sperry Top-Sider Men’s Halyard Boat Shoes

And of course, to protect your eyes, you must invest in a good pair of shades. The Ray-Ban Wayfarer style will always be a classic.  Looking for something fresh and new?  Try a round pair like these round Persol sunglasses in tortoise or in classic black.

Persol Folding Sunglasses in Black