Engagement ring tips for men

Every girl dreams of the day her boyfriend gets down on one knee and presents her with a buying a beautiful engagement ring, but how can he be sure he’s got it right? Many brides-to-be have very fixed ideas on the style of engagement ring they’d like so her man needs to do his homework before he starts shopping.

Here are seven engagement ring tips for men on choosing a ring she’ll love. Ladies you can always print this off and leave it lying around as a subtle hint for your future fiance.

1. Check her existing jewellery to see the colour and type of metal she usually wears. Most women have a strong preference for gold or silver, very few wear both equally. Make sure that the ring you choose matches her main preference. If she really does wear both colours you could consider a two tone ring.
2. If possible try to get a ring in the right size. This is relatively easy if your girlfriend usually wears rings on her middle or ring finger. Perhaps you can sneakily borrow a ring and take it shopping with you. Otherwise you could make an imprint of it in some plasticine or make a paper ring of the same size. Rings can always be altered slightly, but you want it to fit as closely as possible.
3. Take a look at the clothes she wears and get an idea of her style and fashion sense. Are her clothes ultra modern and constantly changing with the times? Maybe she wears classic pieces with just a few contemporary accessories? Perhaps she loves to team vintage items with modern basics? The ring you choose should reflect her style if it is going to look good with her wardrobe.
4. Consider her size and shape when you choose the ring. Is she very slim or does she have a fuller figure? Are her fingers long or short? The jeweller should be able to advise you on the shape and cut that will look best on your girlfriend’s hand if you can describe it well. If possible you could even try to take a photograph of her hand with you.
5. Think about her lifestyle when you pick the setting of the ring. If she does a lot of manual work, has physical contact with people during her job, or takes part in a lot of sporting activities, a diamond with a high setting might not be practical. Choose a channel set diamond for active girlfriends.
6. Put some thought into your girlfriend’s views on colour when you are deciding on the type of stone to use. If she dyes her hair a different shade every week, and has painted her home every colour of the rainbow, you might want to consider one of the coloured stones that are currently in vogue. Birthstones are usually a good choice, or coloured diamonds are very fashionable if a little pricey. A good tip for making sure the colour you choose doesn’t clash with her wardrobe is to think about the colour of her eyes. If your lady seems to prefer neutral muted colours, a classic white diamond is the best choice for you.
7. The final and most important tip on choosing an engagement ring is finding out whether she actually wants you to. Perhaps she would much rather pick the ring herself, or maybe she dreams of the two of you designing a bespoke ring together. Wait for a proposal scene in a soppy movie to casually broach the subject and see what her reaction is.

If you’re not sure, you can always buy an inexpensive temporary ring to propose with and go shopping for the real thing together. If you are going to choose the ring yourself be on the lookout for clues. If she suspects a proposal she’ll be dropping hints all over the place.

10 Must-Have Fashion Accessories for Men

Recently we asked people what the must-have fashion accessories are for men. The responses we received ranged from the basic to the bizzare. What we found most interesting was that most responses didn’t involve material goods, but instead mentioned behaviours that a man can only perfect, not purchase.

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Accessory #1 – A Smart Watch
There’s a lot to be said about a man with a nice watch. It shows he appreciates the finer things in life and that he does not rely on his iPhone to tell the time. A quality watch should be high on every man’s list. It doesn’t need to be expensive, it needs to be classic and preferably not a Thailand special which you purchased after a visit to soapies.

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Accessory #2 – A Smile
Even if you have pearly whites like Steve Buscemi there’s still much value in being able to smile. Nothing says you take yourself too seriously like the guy at the bar who’s too busy being cool rather than having a good time, who attracts e-taggers (B&Ts) and voids accessory #3. Smiles cost nothing and last a lifetime, so use them often.

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Accessory #3 – A beautiful woman (or man) on one’s arm
We all know beauty comes in many forms, but there’s a lot to be said for a man with a beautiful or smart or funny woman on his arm. If you get all three, then put a god damn ring on it. A quality partner tells the world that you’re a discerning chap who doesn’t have The Clap, she’ll bring out the best in you too. Pick a bad one and they’ll think you drink the bath water.

Accessory #4 – A Real Classy Pen 
No, not a Biro, rather choose something that’s been handed down or recently purchased from the Mont Blanc store. A gentleman’s special pen (no not that one) should be only used in times of triumph like signing the papers after selling your business or perhaps after putting that final nail in the divorce coffin. Choose wisely because it will be noticed.

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Accessory #5 – Good Manners
All to often forgotten in the game of being a Cad & Bounder. We’re not quite talking using your coat to cover puddles, but remember your P’s and Q’s, refrain from eating like a Neanderthal and when the time comes do NOT ask ‘if they are real’. Manners are always noticed and noted, giving a man an air of success and maturity.

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Accessory #6 – An Inoffensive but Memorable Cologne 
We all have smells. Some good. Some bad. When it comes to cologne, I prefer to wear one that’s unique, sensual and memorable. It’s time to ditch the Lynx and invest in a scent that will assume the role of chief panty remover and all round deal maker. Take yourself down to David Jones and spend some time smelling the likes of Comme Des Garçons, Six Scents, Dior and YSL.

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Accessory #7 – Knowledge / Book Smarts
They say knowledge is power and power makes the dishwasher and other cool things around the house work. Nothing will stop a man in life like a limited knowledge of what’s going on in the world around him. No need to be a scholar but at least know something other than the process of how Fosters is brewed and you’ll be well on your way. Pick up a book, go to an art gallery and take in some culture.

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Accessory #8 – Nice Shoes  
A timeless and true mark of a man is his shoes. Nothing kills a date with a beautiful women quicker than a dirty pair of Cons and some Explorer Socks. Invest in leather, the Italian type that will outlast the many women you’re trying to impress. If you can afford it we recommend owning more than one pair and alternating so they don’t get worn out.

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Accessory #9 – A Helping of Confidence
Nothing says you’re a man who people want to do business or get busy with like a man with his head held high, chest out and walking tall. Confidence has allowed some of history’s biggest failures get to the top and stay there for oh let’s say… 8 years (a fool me can’t get fooled again). Find something you’re good at, do it well and be proud that you do it so well. The feeling will extend to other areas of your life and soon you’ll be John Travolta in Saturday Night Fever.

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Accessory #10 – Your Friends
The last and most important of all accessories are your friends. They say you can never soar like an eagle if you’re surrounded by turkeys, and this rule I’ve stuck to all my life. That’s why I have a fantastic group of underachieving sociopaths as my closest acquaintances. Whether you like it not, you’ll always be judged by the company you keep. Choose wisely and don’t be afraid to let the occasional one go if you’re no longer aligned with total world domination.