This is a Co-creation Blog post from Chief Evangelist, Fan Bi, who founded Blank Label in the Summer of 2008, and has been trying to change the way young men buy clothes ever since.

Dharmesh Shah once said; 'Things you get from a startup: Meet exceptionalpeople, learn useful things, make money. Make sure you get at least 2 out of 3.' In the next couple of weeks, I thought I'd go through each one of these to give you a better sense of what we're all about, why we do what we do, and why we love it.

This week I want to speak about a couple of people I love in my family, my work family. And maybe at the end of the post, you'll love them too. Bear in mind, I'm only going to touch on two of Blank Label team, and credit definitely goes beyond that to the broader team. Carrying-on, Danny Wong is my right-hand man. He's been with Blank Label since the end of Spring 2009, and he's been kept fitting for the success of Blank Label ever since. Externally he introduces himself as Lead Web Strategist, but internally we know him as the Analytics Workhorse. Danny started out as a Sales Rep, when we still doing a Sales Rep model, but he kept pushing me, asking what are you doing for SEO, Social Media, once you build a website, how are you going to build traffic, more importantly, how are you going to build a community? When someone insists banging down the door to get involved, it's just much easier to open the door for them. He worked his summer 'day job', then would rush home and work on developing an online presence for Blank Label till the early hours of the morning. He would them come to the office with me on the weekend, and pull longer hours than even I would. Hence, the Analytics Workhorse.

For how strong-headed and direct Danny is, Alec Harrison, is super smooth. Beyond his smooth singing voice, he is creative in everything he sees and does, and for that reason, he is our Empathetic Designer. Joining the team half-way through the Summer, he has rushed to speed on what the real vision of Blank Label, and similar to Danny and myself, quickly transitioning from small steps to fast pacing to a quick sprint. Officially as Lead Designer, he covers User Experience and User Interface of our website, which means he goes between understanding the consumer and our fashion illustrator and photographer to compile something that is highly relateable to our audience of confident, fun, young, independent males. Alec does freelance gigs on the side to support himself, but without the dedication to our mission and our big dreams, we'd be lost without our Empathetic Designer.

Danny and Alec, and especially myself, do this because we've all done the corporate thing, and boy did we hate it. Maybe it's part entitlement, part naivety, but we're just not willing to spend the best years of our lives in a cubicle, hating our boss, hating our lives. So next week I'll give a bit more some insight about part two of Dharmesh's message; 'learn useful things' that help us get to where we want to get to in life.

But in the meantime, we're just gonna keep trying to make the best damn DIY custom men's dress shirts online.

It’s Saturday night, you’re sitting down for a nice, quiet evening away from the chaos of the world and just as you crack open a beer, your buddies call, demanding your presence for a night out to the bars. Well, super. Your favorite dress shirt is balled up in the corner, wrinkled beyond belief, and you haven’t even had a shower. Your friends want to meet up at ten, it’s already half past nine - and, well, let’s face it - you don’t even own a steamer.

Well, guys, don’t let that ruin your fun, there’s a simple solution. You can knock out two birds with one stone! While in the shower, keep the water hot, the bathroom door closed, and let the steam from the shower do the work. Simply hang your shirt carefully on a hanger and find a spot to hang it, (a towel rack will work just fine) making sure that the shirt is close enough to get direct contact with the steam, but not water spray. After your shower, keep the hot water running, as to accumulate steam, and as you’re getting ready, rotate your dress shirt, letting the steam hit it at all angles. Within about thirty minutes, most of the wrinkles should be smoothed out. Depending on the material of your shirt, you can also pop it in the dryer with a wet sock to smooth out any unwanted creases, but always make sure to check the care label, or you’ll end up with a shirt that looks like it was made for a twelve year-old.

Wanna share any other quick and dirty tips to get rid of wrinkles from dress shirts?

Try shower steaming it and let us know how you make out!

[Image Source: seanmcgrath]

This post was written for our Co-creation Blog by Blank Label's lovely custom men's dress shirts co-creator Anne Marie Jackson.

You’d think that wearing a men's dress shirt would be simple, but somehow or another, some guys seem to get it wrong. Here are 7 sinful ways to wear an otherwise awesome men's dress shirt.

1. Layered over another collared dress shirt. Keep your undershirts simple, don’t go crazy.

2. Unbuttoned all the way to mid-chest. You’re not Fabio. Even if you’ve got a great body, you’re going to look like a tool. Keep the chest hair and man breasts hidden please!

3. Tied up at the waist. No explanation is really needed here, is it? Unless you’re auditioning for a role as a woman in a play, you’re going to look ridiculous.

4. With the collar popped. You might as well just write “I’m desperate for attention” on your forehead. It’s pretty hard to garner respect from anyone when sporting this look.

5. Untucked in the back, tucked in at the front. Or vice versa. This just looks silly, not to mention sloppy.

6. Fashioned into a Rambo-style headband. Who knows why you’d try that, but don’t.

7. Worn over a colorful or detailed medium weight T-Shirt (not an undershirt). This will ruin the smooth lines of your dress shirt, can show through and look juvenile.

Got any other suggestions for this list?

Anyone guilty of these 7 men’s dress shirt fashion sins?

[Image Source: symic]

This post was written for Blank Label's Co-creation Blog by Anne Marie Jackson and Danny Wong, both co-creators of custom men's dress shirts.

So say you’re out meeting a date, meeting the boss, meeting the parents, meeting and greeting anyone and everyone. Whilst your meeting, you take swigs of red wine, slurps of marinara pasta, bump in to greasy mechanics, and by the time you realize low and behold there is a stain on your beautiful dress shirt. If you noticed, other people will too, and let me tell you, there is nothing more sloppy or cheapening than a giant stain on an otherwise nice collared dress shirt. No one wants a big child around that can’t keep his food in his mouth or his hands to himself, and that’s the vibe you send out. Therefore, when in times of desperation run, sprint to these 6 tips on how to get stains out of your shirts (quick!):

1. Use Sprite: While your date or engagement is away, order some Sprite or other clear, carbonated beverage and use that to dab away at your shirt’s stain. The bubbles have the same microscopic scrubbing effect as soap! Especially effective for coffee stains!

2. Warm Water and Dryer: Excuse yourself to the bathroom and wet the stained area with warm water. Remember to blot, not scrub. Then, dry the wet dress shirt with the dryer in the bathroom.

3. Soap: Self-explanatory. Still, do not forget to only dab the shirt!

4. Shampoo: If you are at your home, girlfriend/boyfriend’s, or at any sort of house party, make yourself to the bathroom and find some shampoo. This product works miracles on sweat stains and oil/ grease stains for your dress shirts.

5. Vinegar and Warm Water: If you’re bold enough to ask for vinegar in a restaurant, use this to dab off red wine stains. It’ll probably be worth the strange look you get from the waiter. What does he know?

6. Put on Your Jacket: I don’t care how hot it is, if you have a jacket and a stain, the stain should be covered at any cost. Sacrifices, men. Sacrifices.

When you make a spill, make sure you notice before the person you are facing lifts her/his eyebrows and lets you know. No matter what, you should probably excuse yourself smoothly to the bathroom and examine the damage, then apply the techniques. For another easy way to get stains out of shirts quickly, use Tide-To-Go or a bleach pen. Trust me, these are my saving graces and the only reason people can bear being with me. But seriously, stains are a sign of carelessness and say you are a slovenly person that doesn't really care about the occasion you are attending, even if you do feel it’s important. So take care first, to try not spilling and if you do, (because we all do) take the right measures to make your shirt stains disappear. Then afterwards, take it out to the dry cleaners for proper cleaning so you can wear that shirt for a long time. So fresh and so clean, clean.

Anyone else have some awesome tips for cleaning stains on dress shirts?

[Image Source: gj_thewhite]

This post was written for our Co-creation Blog by Blank Label's Awesome Blogger and custom men's dress shirts co-creator Youmi Park.

I love fashion, and there are a lot of things I love about it. The artistic designs, different fabrics, innovative styles and their pioneering designers, runway shows: I adore them all. However, if there is one thing I like about the couture industry it is the wide range of selections. Fashion is resilient, and you can transform yourself to mesh with every culture, trend, region, and group through the clothing and accessories you choose. There is no way you should resist trying on different looks and new modes to have some fun with your wardrobe.

However, I also do understand that we can’t always afford the money or time to rummage through up-and-coming vogues and keep buying different pieces of clothing. Well, enter the men’s dress shirt! Most males believe that this garment is reserved for work, nice dates, and interviews; however, despite this stereotype, the dress shirt is one of the most versatile articles of clothing that fashion has given birth to. Work these different looks by coordinating wisely with the dress shirt and what you already have:

1) Hot for the Teacher: Now we all have the fantasy of banging our hot professor in the faculty break room. Well, just tuck the dress shirt into the pants and add a simple sweater and tie, and you have yourself a clean, sharp look that all the girls will talk about. A+ to you.

2) Like it Rough: The men's dress shirt can compliment your leather jacket and rugged boots. Just choose a shade or pattern that accents the rest of your get-up, and wear it casually under the jacket. Not only does the collaboration of fabrics look dangerous, but you’re also creating a hip and modern look that is still cleanly rough.

3) Gentlemen’s Club: Pair a dress shirt with a scarf, suit or just a blazer, and you’ve created an elegant look that is in-style and timeless at the same time. You can even wear a robe over it or carry around a fluffy cat. Right-o!

4) The Perfect Vestiary: The vest is a priceless accessory, but a make-it-or-break-it item. If worn creatively (mixing colors and fabrics) it’s trendy and cute; however, I’m a stickler against overly simple shirt-vest looks (plain white shirt and black/pinstripe vest) because they're unoriginal and tacky. But mess around and play as you please!

5) Underground: Try wearing a dress shirt under something super casual, like a zip-up or a sweatshirt (preferably a tighter and simple colors, NO GRAPHIC). It can dress and prep up a completely casual look, whilst making you look very fashion conscious. Simple touches like this make you fashion-smart!

Of course, there are a countless number of things you can do with a dress shirt (Wow that sounds so dirty. Yum) and you should continue to mix and match. However, these basics will allow you to think outside the lines and push you to experiment on your own; and not to mention the money you will save by utilizing a couple good men's dress shirts! Fashion and the dress shirt: Like mother/father, like son/daughter. Stay stylish and try not to wear your dress shirt foolishly.

[Image Source: Kara Kochalko]

This post was written for our Co-creation Blog by Blank Label's Star Blogger and Star Custom Men's Dress Shirts fashionista Youmi Park.

We’ve all seen those Axe commercials, and although chicks might not be banging down your door to get to your cologne doused torso right about now, there’s no denying that there’s just something about a man’s scent that really does it for women. I know, because, well, I’m a woman. But what is it about scent that attracts us to the opposite sex? For centuries, cologne has been used to mask odor, enhance one’s own scent, and attract positive attention.

In very (VERY) ancient times, it was common for a woman to keep a peeled apple in the cozy nook of her sweaty underarm all the livelong day, and give the finished product to her lover. Sounds disgusting, doesn’t it? Well, many studies suggest that it is our natural scent that attracts the opposite sex. I’m not surprised - I used to have a boyfriend who really got a kick out of smelling the top of my head.

Many perfumes and colognes claim to have pheromone enhancing chemicals, but the science of smell is a bit more complicated than that, according to scientists. Apparently, we all have what is called an MHC, or in super-science-speak, a major histocompatibility complex, which is linked to our immune system. The MHC is responsible for what we seek out scent-wise. We are programmed as humans to seek out individuals with MHC’s greatly different from our own, for reproductive purposes.

When choosing colognes, we tend to gravitate toward smells that mimic our own MHC, so that we may broadcast our own scent to the opposite sex. Make sense? In theory, you could gather that this would mean that if a woman wearing a self-chosen perfume that smells just awful to you that you wouldn’t particularly like her natural scent, either- but I don’t know if we can jump to those conclusions just yet.

The olfactory is a tricky thing. Your sense of smell is linked to brain functioning and many smells trigger specific reactions in the brain, so really, who knows what’s going on up there. But what we DO know, through a recent study, is that wearing cologne may have a psychological effect on the wearer. In a blind study, in which two groups of men sprayed on a substance, (one scented, one unscented), the men in the scented group displayed more confidence, and were even deemed “more attractive” to the women in the study, who were seated behind a glass wall. The women couldn’t even smell the cologne, yet they sensed the change in attitude, which in turn led to the attraction factor. So, from all angles, it looks like wearing a bit of the old smelly stuff really does work- even if it’s just in your head.

Spray an awesome scent one of your snazzy custom men's dress shirts and you're good to go! Go get 'em lady killer.

Here are some recent top sellers, according to Sephora and About.com:

Givenchy Play

Emporio Armani Aqua di Gio

Allure Pour Homme HM by Hanae Mori

John Varvatos

L Eau D’ Issey pour homme

Guys: anyone have scents that they love to wear? Girls: anyone have scents they love smelling on men?

[Image Source: otodo]

This post was written for our Co-creation Blog by Blank Label's Style Guru Anne Marie Jackson.

Burt Reynolds. Tom Selleck. Borat. What do they have in common? They’re all loyal members of the mustache clan. Being female and somewhat envious of men’s ability to accessorize with their facial hair, I have always been in awe of the mustache. While dating a man with a mustache is beyond my capabilities (a furry face isn’t fun to kiss, guys), I happen to appreciate, albeit ironically, the bushiest of mustaches. As a child, I was actually afraid of men with mustaches, referring to them as “mustachio men”. I still use that term liberally, in fact. In a moment of pure whimsy, I have even drawn a mustache on myself and giggled uncontrollably. What is it about that tiny strip of hair that gets to me? I don’t know. But apparently I’m not the only one. Cool kids around the country are throwing ‘mustache parties’ in honor of the famed lip fur. At a proper mustache bash, everyone, and I mean everyone, must come wearing a mustache, be it real or fake. Ever catch yourself absentmindedly drawing mustaches on the faces of models in a fashion magazine? Well, here’s your chance to do it to your friends. Test drive your own mustache, make fun of how closely your friends resemble evil dictators, and have a ball at your own facial hair free-for-all. My older sister informed me a while back that she was attending a mustache party without a mustache, and I shook my head in disapproval. How could she betray the ‘stache? Not everyone is cool enough to rock the look, I guess . . . but I’ve got lots of respect for those who can.

We don’t endorse growing an actual mustache because they really AREN’T for everyone, but they certainly are fun to play with!

Anyone have great stories about mustachios? If not, we can talk about Borat’s mustache.

Oh, by the way, has anyone checked out the Mustache Bandana yet? Sickk.

[Image Source: Ollie Crafoord]

This post was written by Blank Label's Blogger and custom men's dress shirts stylist Anne Marie Jackson for our Co-creation Blog.

How many times have you complimented your girlfriend/boyfriend today? Oh, really? And how many of those times did you say, “You look nice/pretty/hot”? Men, this is a beautiful, supple world that happens to be abundant in sublime vocabulary. They are everywhere, bawling to be used, perpetually neglected, and stigmatized as nerdy, dorky, literary, and melodramatic. Well, I’m not having any of that, so here are some new adjectives you can use to enhance your game and ultimately, life.

- Beautiful: A never-fail and a classic.

- Amazing: Another classic and the first word to a song that goes “_____ Grace”. God backs it up.

- Great: Short, brisk, masculine, and to the point.

- Incredible: You are so amazing that you are unable to be credited. That’s what I like to hear.

- Stunning: This shows that your lover is so fine that you are physically shocked. Nicely done.

- Gorgeous: This word makes a girl feel like Audrey Hepburn and a boy like Brad Pitt. Yum yum.

- Elegant: This adjective defines class, and gives the receiver a sense of divinity and importance.

- Flawless: Flaw. Less. Need I say more?

- Awesome: This word seems wrong, but is kind of cute in the sense that it feels as if you were so taken aback by your lover’s beauty that this was the first boyish little word you could blurt out.

- Unbelievable: What? I’m oh so pretty you can’t believe your eyes? So sweet.

Just some quick replacement may take your significant other by a pleasant surprise and show that you actually care (or you’re at least convincing them). Now although I may have said that adjectives are fantastic and creatively intriguing, don't get too crazy. For example, cute, fine, sexy, lovely are all walking a fine line between sweet and trying too hard, therefore take caution in your use. Assess the prey and interpret what they may like. However, once you start using words like delicious, bodacious, sensational, divine, and luscious, you know you’ve crossed the line into creepiness. But if you stick with the words above, you are sure to compliment your snookums with something fresher and more imaginative, and you will make that person feel so much more special than she/he did 15 minutes ago. That’s more love for everyone. Make mama proud.

[Image Source: jurvetson]

This post was written for Blank Label's Co-creation Blog by Style Diva and custom men's dress shirts stylist Youmi Park.

Years ago, before they were socially acceptable in polite society, tattoos were something that people did to stand out. Young, rebellious men got a thrill out of pushing the limits of appearance and offending their elders. These days, however, tattoos seem almost commonplace. If there’s one thing I’ve noticed, it’s that when it comes to body art, there is a distinct line between showing one’s wild side and becoming a trend slave. Get the wrong kind of tattoo, and not only are you labeled as a poser, but you’re stuck with the exact same ugly tattoo that nine million other guys have. So much for artistic expression, eh?

A tattoo trend, just like any trend, starts out with a slow trickle of popularity, then catches on like wildfire, and quickly disintegrates, leaving a trail of clueless followers riding its wake. Somewhere out there, there is a guy who is claiming to be the first guy to ever get a “tribal” tattoo. Now, look down the street about a hundred feet and you’ll probably see another guy who is sporting the exact same brand beneath his shirt and tie. Chinese lettering, decorative suns and old English lettering are just some of the other tattoo styles that have become blasé over the years. I happen to know a guy who actually got a brand name of a popular clothing line tattooed on his abdomen. No joke. The obvious question is, why brand yourself with something that is a trend? By sheer definition, a trend is a passing thing. Tattoos are permanent. So when the trend dies, the wearer is left with the inked- on equivalent of acid washed jeans. And later on down the road in life, what happens to the guy who tried to prove himself by going above and beyond the norm? Well, friends . . . he ends up looking like this:

Sexy…?

Perhaps he needs to cover up with a custom men's dress shirt. =)

This post was written by Anne Marie Jackson of Blank Label and our Co-creation Blog.

Vogue is pretty. So are Cosmo and Elle and Lucky. Women’s magazines are, no doubt, cute and chic, and they embody estrogen-oozing womanhood within their glossy, feathery pages. Do you think it’s all just too much and you could care less? Good, I’m glad we understand each other. I love clothes, sex, and girl talk just as much as the next lady, but deciphering those jam-packed, glitz and glam scriptures is annoying and painful even for me. There are quizzes, personality analyses, and “What He Really Means/ What You Should Do” segments that are so arduous and tedious, it’s scary; it’s a magazine and plays mind games. Am I even a woman? After going through all that, probably not. Now, let’s move on to my obsession: men’s magazines. If God were Yves Saint Lauren (which he actually is), they would be his Bible, Ten Commandments, and Qur’an. The fashion and content within its pages are clear, precise, excess-less, and simplistic stylish: a grand manifestation of men’s fashion. They speak to men in every setting: the corporate, the casual, the beach, the weekend, the summer, the winter, etc. When you want to find something, it’s right there; no need to turn to pg 67, then pg 987, sing a song, and then wait 3 months. Don’t give a shit about fashion? Well, you’re wearing clothes so you DO care, no matter how much you convince yourself otherwise. Still, if you are adamantly against gearing your head towards shoes and coats, you can always read their lifestyle pieces. Their articles are intriguing (not to mention helpful) whether they’re reviews of the latest gadgets, cars, food, and entertainment, or a story discussing the economy, dating, and pressing current events. Why shouldn’t you enjoy a light read once in a while? Besides that, they have interviews with prominent actors, leaders, musicians, and icons who have legit things to say (plus, the featured women always looks banging). Here is a quick analysis of two magazines that I love and encourage you to read, if not both, one that suits you best:

- GQ: This magazine is one that men usually recognize, and there’s nothing surprising about that. They write pieces that translate to the average yet style-savvy chap. They help you to become a man that knows his stuff wherever he goes, anything from drinks and women to travel and film. I’d like to say they are slightly more focused on men’s lifestyle than fashion, but their couture shoots are awesome. Their stories are fascinating and hot. I went to buy the August issue and it had three feature stories: The Greatest Violent Movies Ever Made, The Sex Scandal That Shocked A Small-Town High School, and a feature on Quentin Tarantino’s Inglourious Basterds. Needless to say, best day of my life.

- Details: Many of my friends say that this is the gay brother of GQ. I favor this wonderful magazine a little more, mostly because I feel that they talk a little more about fashion and because this was the first men’s magazine that I’ve ever bought so it has a special place in my heart. With Details, fashion is made easy and clear. The thing I love about them is when it comes to a certain style or must-have piece of clothing, they explain how, why, where, and who, so you can fully understand the origin and value of what you might want to wear. So you end up at sharper and smarter man! Besides, Michael Chabon writes for them. What more do you want?

If you don’t wish to get these magazines every month or if you actually want to know more, then pick up some seasonal issues, i.e Esquire’s Big Black Book Spring 2009. They will give you what you will need for at least the next 6 months, and will give you classic advice that will never fail you. However, if you don’t read either of the magazines mentioned above, I really press you to do so. These publications appraise and honor who you are as a man and how you think, and on top of that they want to make you better. If you hate reading (shame on you), you can still flip through the pages and see what you like. Then, you don’t have to go out and buy high-end brands; you can go to your usual store and buy similar things that still integrate the trend. Hell, go into the store with the magazine and say, “Dress me like this” or “Give me this haircut”. You’ll be surprised how far a little booklet can take you and make you a cooler, cleverer gentleman. Don't cheat yourself. Always strive to make yourself better and keener, because in the words of Richard Yates, “Don’t you know? You’re the most valuable and wonderful thing in the world. You’re a man.”

[Image Source: Dplanet]

This post was written for Blank Label's Co-creation Blog by Fashion Muse and custom men's dress shirts lover Youmi Park.