Think pink for Breast Cancer Awareness

One of the most interesting and refreshing things that I have noticed, from watching NFL games on television to professional men on the go in Houston (and in my own wardrobe, for that matter) is the emergence of pink in men's outfits.

While pink is more accepted in women's wear, it is gaining momentum in menswear, thanks in part to the month of October being Breast Cancer Awareness month. This is a cool thing, and rather ironic since the color pink usually is regarded as a summer color. In the fall, pink becomes not just symbolic; it is a change of pace.

With dress shirts, pink is another option that joins the whites and light blues that men are used to when suiting up. Dark ties with pink accents are welcome complements.

Although pink has made strides in conservative menswear, there's still a sentiment of resistance to the color, that pink may be too leisurely or "for sissies."

News flash: We're a decade into the 21st century, and pink is increasingly "in." In fact, it never left. Let's review a few of such icons over the years: We have the pink Cadillac; the Pink Panther; and Pinky, one of the baddies who's always chasing Pac-Man.

Pink has long been a "preppy" color that's been available for years at retailers such as Brooks Brothers, J. Crew and Polo Ralph Lauren. In the spring and summer, pink is prevalent in seersucker suits, Oxford shirts and ties. In the fall and winter, a pink shirt provides a nice contrast with a navy blazer or suit.

Pink is still an acquired taste for me, but it's not difficult to work it into my wardrobe. (Yellow is actually tougher for me.) The key is to achieve balance. Too much pink means too casual; with dark suits, incorporating pink in the right places (shirts, ties, pocket squares) will go far.

T.O. chapeau inspires at least one follower

Cincinnati Bengals receiver Terrell Owens is known for over-the-top antics during his NFL career, but style icon? Who'd a thunk it?

Of course, seeing is believing, and I experienced this firsthand earlier on Thursday afternoon. Peep this: A woman walks into the high-end menswear store where I work, and asks me if the store carries fedoras. I replied that we carry only one model in the store, and it's brown.

She was looking for a black fedora, "like the one my boyfriend saw T.O. wearing on TV."

Oh, really? The same T.O. who has a reality show, and is usually good for a colorful quote during press conferences? I was stunned, but maintained my professional demeanor during the exchange.

I suggested that she try The Hat Store on Richmond and Chimney Rock in Houston. Plenty of fedoras are there, from Borsalino to Stetson. She thanked me for the tip.

Then, I got to thinking afterward ... will Owens' fedora-wearing ways gain a following? At least two of his pro football predecessors, coaches Tom Landry and Hank Stram, wore fedoras. Fedoras remain an elegant option for middle-age men. In Houston, however, I don't see too many hats in general (outside of baseball caps) being worn.

Whether athletes are trendsetters in classic style remains to be seen. Michael Jordan may have brought long shorts into vogue during his playing days in the '80s, but even his appearances in GQ haven't generated a sea change in men's style. Other GQ cover guys such as Kobe Bryant and LeBron James are among current NBA stars who have upped the ante on style, but no clear front-runner has emerged.

NFL linebacker Dhani Jones is known for sporting bow ties, the preferred accessory of former NBA player-turned-ESPN basketball analyst Bruce Bowen. Shaquille O'Neal has worn a bow tie in postgame interviews during the NBA playoffs. Still, the "bow tie effect" hasn't caught on in today's men's fashion scene, which is getting less and less formal.

The irony is that fedoras and bow ties are hardly new; these are "old school" pieces of clothing that offer a retro look. In fact, they never left.

I'm not sure whether it's T.O.'s intention to reinvigorate the fedora, but one thing's for sure: Look at any old movie starring Cary Grant, Gary Cooper, Douglas Fairbanks Jr. or David Niven. If you study these films the way Mr. Owens would on opposing defensive backs, you'd make the All-Sartorial team in record time.

Rooster ties bring back memories

I remember acquring my first Rooster tie about seven years ago at a Salvation Army store in Bristol, Conn. I liked the brim of the tie being thin and that it had a good weight to it.

Fast forward to Saturday ... I went into Syms initially looking for Allen-Edmonds shoes but stopped by the ties first. I couldn't believe there were a selection of Rooster ties. These were the current versions featuring timeless stripes, polka dots and animal designs in various colors. I could have collected them all, but settled for two.

The nice thing about Rooster ties is that they are very well made. They are inexpensive. I found mine at $14.99 each. If you don't want to spend a heckuva whole lot of money on ties, Roosters are a worthwhile investment.