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How grown men can actually look good in shorts

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shorts

There's an ongoing debate over whether grown men should actually wear shorts or not. If you do wear them, though, we won't judge. It's warm, and you don't want to suffocate your legs.

But there's no debating how to look good in them.

Since there's so little fabric to shorts in the first place, the details have to be exactly right, including length and width.

At this point, we're almost making a parody of ourselves by saying men should avoid cargo shorts. But, nevertheless, it bears repeating: cargo shorts are ill-fitting and too long, and they create a mismatched silhouette.

Shorts need to fit well.

Instead, make sure your shorts hit above your knee. This is the most important thing to consider when wearing shorts. We don't care how short or long they are exactly, as long as they hit above the knee.

For most guys, this is going to be about 5-7 inches of inseam if you're about average height. Any longer, and you start looking like you belong in a skate park.

The second-most important thing to consider is how they fit. You want them to be slightly fitted, following the natural taper of your legs. If you have a pair of shorts with a large leg opening that billows around your knees, that's going to ruin your silhouette, causing an imbalance and making your bottom half look heavier than your top half.

Fit them into an outfit.

The rest of wearing shorts comes down to what you pair them with. We recommend you wear low-top shoes like a moc-style loafer or white sneaker with either no-show socks or no socks at all. Large socks coming up your ankles look a little weird when most of your legs are completely bare.

The next thing you have to pay attention to is the top block. While the safest choice is to wear a short-sleeved shirt or t-shirt, you can also get away with sweatshirts or long-sleeved shirts. Just remember that shorts are inherently casual, and your shirt and shoes should be, too.

You cannot, however, wear a blazer with shorts. The visual imbalance is too great to get away with, and shorts are much too casual a look.

The rest is up to you.

As for color, style, and choice of fabric, the rest is completely up to your discretion and your own personal style. Chino-style shorts are very popular as default casual shorts, as are what some retailers are dubbing "dock shorts" — elastic waistband shorts that are very comfortable and come with a drawstring and fewer pockets.

SEE ALSO: Why every guy needs to get a pair of shorter shorts, according to the founder of a startup that has convinced guys across America to wear them

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NOW WATCH: 7 outdated fashion rules that men can now ignore


China's rich kids have been banned from becoming reality TV stars

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China Rich Kids

The Chinese government has been making an attempt lately to clean up its country's public image.

Exhibit A: banning "silly" architecture. Exhibit B: reigning in the televised activities of its cultural ambassadors.

In this case, that means imposing certain restrictions on the "rich kids" of China — the sons and daughter of the mega-wealthy upper class, who tend to flaunt their wealth across social media.

The State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television (SAPPRFT) has announced a new ban, stating that no reality TV shows with famous kids can be produced or broadcast, reports Xinhua News, China's state news agency. The ban requires reality shows to be "strictly controlled."

According to Xinhua, some popular shows had to be canceled due to the new rules, including titles like "Dad! Where Are We Going?" and "Dad Came Back." 

wang sicong dog apple watch goldThis announcement comes on the heels of a series of minor scandals surrounding China's wealthy youth, all of which were broadcast via social media.

In one instance, photos posted online showed the "fuerdai"— or second-generation wealthy — burning 100-yuan notes (about $15).

In another, Wang Sicong, the son of China's richest man, released a picture of his dog wearing two gold Apple watches, which retail for $12,000 apiece. (You can follow the husky's luxe life on her own Weibo account.) Wang is notorious for his spending sprees: just last month, he reportedly spent $385,000 during one night out at a Beijing karaoke club, according to Shangaiist.

Also in March, the "Kim Kardashian of China," a 26-year-old celebrity named Angela Young, was the bride at a lavish Shanghai wedding that cost a reported $31 million.

Earlier in 2015, Chinese President Xi Jinping himself directly addressed the issue, urging the fuerdai to "think about the source of their wealth and how to behave after becoming affluent." 

SEE ALSO: 11 of the most expensive new watches money can buy

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NOW WATCH: Step inside the 'Kim Kardashian of China's' insane, $31 million wedding

If you only buy one pair of shoes for the rest of the year, make it this one

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desert boot

As usual, the British were on to something great first. Take the desert boot, for example, which has exploded in popularity in recent years and earned a spot in every guy's closet.

I know what you're thinking: boots for spring and summer? 

Well, sure, normal boots aren't really suitable for spring or summer — but desert boots aren't normal boots.

They're made from a thinner leather than normal boots, and they don't go up your ankle as high (chukka-style). The soles are less chunky and are often made of a soft material (crepe rubber).

Combined, those attributes make it the perfect shoe to go with every one of your casual outfits from spring all the way until mid-fall. They were made for warm-weather wearing, so don't be shy to wear them on bright spring days when you still need to wear pants (like a work day at the office).

They're good for in-between weather as well, and can keep your feet in relative warmth should the mercury drop down farther than you were expecting on a spring night.

They're light on the feet, so they won't weigh you down, and they're more comfortable than the minimal aesthetic they might at first convey. They're a big step-up from your usual athletic sneakers. 

A photo posted by Clarks USA (@clarksusa) on

Why are they called desert boots anyway?

Basically, they were first made for the desert terrain. Nathan Clark, who was born into the C. & J. Clark family shoe company (now better known as Clarks), is credited with bringing the design to mass market, according to GQ

In 1941, Clark was just an infantry man in the British Army stationed in Burma. He was on the lookout for new shoe designs for his family's company, however, and he noticed these unique types of boots worn by fellow soldiers in his company: chukka-style, soft rubber crepe sole, and boots made out of suede.

Clark traced these boots back to Cairo cobblers working for commission with the South African army. The boots suited their needs for something lightweight, but they were still able to grip the shifting sands they encountered. 

Clark brought this design back to England with him, and by 1949 the newly christened "desert boot" made its debut at the Chicago Shoe Fair. It had a broad appeal because it was somewhere in the middle of dressy and casual — a new concept for that time.

Popularity has waxed and waned in the decades since, but the boot is now enjoying a new wave of popularity as men are looking to dress a little nicer than they have in previous decades.

Other considerations

Of, course, desert boots aren't perfect. Many men assume that since they're boots, they can stand up to the elements — but that's not exactly the case. Because of the way they're constructed, they will likely let in a lot more rain than you'd anticipate. Crepe soles also don't do well in the rain, and many of the leather versions also come in suede, which you should avoid getting wet. 

Clarks still makes the original and best version of the desert boots, as well as a cheaper version called the "Bushacre II" that come with a harder-wearing sole than the soft crepe one that is stitched into the desert. Other companies have also jumped on the bandwagon under the more generic term of "chukka boot," like J. Crew, Thursday Boots, and Barney's.

SEE ALSO: These are the only 3 shoes a guy needs in his closet

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NOW WATCH: The key to picking the right running shoes is simpler than you think

A California coffee shop makes lattes that look like cute animals

8 photos that show how jelly beans are made

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jelly bean rows and rows

Today is National Jelly Bean Day.

In celebration, we decided to look into how the delicious candy is made.

We combed through pictures from the Jelly Belly Candy Company's Instagram account and found gorgeous photos from inside the factory. 

SEE ALSO: A bakery in California came up with a creative way to serve milk and cookies

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To make jelly beans, manufacturers heat liquid sugar to about 350 degrees. Then they mix in starch and glucose, before pouring into bean-shaped molds.

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The beans then sit for a day to give them a nice, chewy texture.

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After the jelly beans are removed from the mold, they are steamed and coated with liquid sugar to make their hard and shiny exterior.

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Here's what you get when you order 'Omaha Steaks' in the mail

The world's most inventive chef can make anything delicious

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Chef René Redzepi is renowned for his ability to take any ingredient and create world-class food. At Noma, his restaurant in Copenhagen, the menu is full of locally-foraged ingredients that Redzepi and his staff spent years experimenting with and refining.

The chef chronicles his adventures in foraging and experimentation on his Instagram account, where he posts videos of everything from crackling pork belly (!!!) to live wood ants (???).

Story by Tony Manfred, editing by Stephen Parkhurst.

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This ice cream-filled pastry is the hottest dessert in Central Europe

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These sweet pastries are having a moment in Central Europe right now. Trdelník are cooked on rods over hot coals, dusted with sugar and walnuts, and then filled with delicious things like ice cream, Nutella, or whipped cream and fruit.

Get 'em while they're hot!

Story and editing by Sydney Kramer

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This mirror creates a 3D scan of your body to track your fitness

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The newest fitness tracker isn't wearable. Instead, the Naked 3D Fitness Tracker is a full-length mirror that takes a scan of your body to record exact measurements, fat percentages and weight. The data is sent to a smartphone or tablet app, where people can see their progress through heat maps and a time-lapse model.

Story by Lisa Ryan and editing by Carl Mueller.

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An LA restaurant made a white chocolate dessert that explodes with flowers when you crack it open

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LA restaurant Broken Spanish came up with a dessert that's both fun and beautiful.

It's a white chocolate sphere filled with flowers, peanuts, and more that must be cracked open before it's eaten.

Story by Sarah Schmalbruch and editing by Stephen Parkhurst

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It's remarkably easy to make beautiful-looking chocolate cigarettes

An Australian cafe makes one of the most decadent hot chocolates we've ever seen

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In Melbourne, Australia, Long Story Short Cafe serves one of the most decadent hot chocolates we've seen yet. The drink comes with a mug, dense cocoa ball and jug of milky goodness. Customers pour the liquid into the cup, melting the chocolate globe and creating a cozy treat.

Long story short, this is not your average hot chocolate. 

Story by Eloise Kirn, Editing by Sydney Kramer

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People are going nuts for this sandwich made of spaghetti and meatballs

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The Carving Board in Los Angeles has figured out a way to make eating spaghetti and meatballs even easier  by making it in sandwich form.

After trying 75 different variations, the restaurant's owners finally decided on using baked noodles as the "bread" of the sandwich, and stuffing it with homemade meatballs and marinara sauce.

You're going to want to put down your forks and pick up this sandwich ASAP.

Story by Aly Weisman, editing by David Fang

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6 renovations that can hurt your home's resale value, according to HGTV's 'Property Brothers'

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Property Brothers

According to Jonathan and Drew Scott, stars of the HGTV show "Property Brothers," you'll want to be careful how you renovate or remodel your home.

"Just as there are features you want in a house, and that also increase the value of the space, there are changes you should not make to a house," they write in their book, "Dream Home: The Property Brothers' Ultimate Guide to Finding & Fixing Your Perfect House." "These are features that can bite you back when it's time to sell."

Here are six renovation "no-nos," according to the Property Brothers:

SEE ALSO: 2 inexpensive tricks that could help your home sell for more money, from HGTV stars the 'Property Brothers'

DON'T MISS: The secret to selling your house for more money

1. Don't sacrifice limited bedrooms for storage

If you're considering converting your tiny third bedroom into a walk-in closet, take a moment to reconsider.

"In family-friendly neighborhoods, a house with three small bedrooms is still more valuable than a house with two bedrooms and a big closet," they write.

But if your home has four medium-size bedrooms with no master bedroom, then converting one of the rooms to expand another is a safer move, according to the Property Brothers.



2. Don't get rid of the only bathtub

Families with kids will — more likely than not — want to look for a house with a bathtub, the brothers warn.

"You don't have to have a bathtub in the master, unless the house is in a retirement community, but do keep a tub in the shared or family bedroom," they write.



3. Don't spend a fortune building a custom home theater

The idea of a movie room or home theater might be loved by buyers, but not everyone will be willing to pay for it, the brothers caution. It's also hard to keep up with the newest, best, or flattest televisions when technology is always changing.

"All the gear you spent a fortune on easily becomes dated," they write.



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One-percenters are signing up for this luxury travel service that helps them book high-end hotel rooms and private jet travel

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Baccarat Hotel & Residences New York_The Bar (7)

If you travel regularly — whether that's for work or for play — getting the best-quality hotel and flight for the best possible price is probably a priority for you. 

That's the idea behind Marchay, a private travel club that counts noted event planner Bronson van Wyck, hedge fund director Boykin Curry, and interior designer Delphine Krakoff among its hundreds of members. 

"No matter how much money you have, everyone cares about rates," Marchay co-founder Jon Ein told Business Insider. "People are fascinated by hotel rates. But once you join Marchay, that's not even the biggest benefit." 

Ein, who was previously based in Paris, took inspiration for Marchay from his experience with corporate travel programs. Having worked with several big banks, he was familiar with the offerings corporate programs could provide employees who traveled often. 

Still, many people working independently or at smaller companies just didn't have access to the same caliber of accommodations as people who worked at Goldman Sachs, Barclays, or Credit Suisse, for example.

"I had a lot of friends who were coming to Paris and asking me where they should stay and what they should do and if I could help them get a good rate," Ein said. "There were so many issues with organizing travel. I realized, 'There's such a need for this, why don't I get my friends together and we can put our travels through one program?"

Ein met Karl Backlund, a fellow travel junkie and an associate at Foundry Capital, the investment company that Ein had started. Together, the two decided to launch the company that would eventually become Marchay in 2014.

"We basically created a corporate travel program for this community, but we really make it more about exchanging ideas and enjoying travel," Ein said. 

In addition to helping you book your flight and hotel, for example, Marchay will also help you find the best places to eat at or explore near your destination.

karl backlundBacklund and Ein describe their target member as "an urban, sophisticated professional", many of whom work in private equity, corporate finance, fashion, entertainment, or as entrepreneurs.

To join, interested parties must go through an application process that includes completing a brief interview. To be accepted, you must travel at a certain level throughout the year and be familiar with the best boutique, luxury hotels around the world. The ideal Marchay member also flies either private or in first class. 

The membership fee is $2,000 a year, and each member is expected to spend a minimum of $25,000 booking travel through the platform annually. 

"It's important for us — if this thing is going to work — that we're onboarding the right type of person, so that we can leverage the community correctly," Backlund said.

Recently, the CEO of a French fashion company was referred to Marchay by a friend. Since his company had just launched its business in the US, he knew that he would be spending much more time traveling across the pond. Making use of Marchay's exclusive hotel rates helped him save almost 50% on a five-night stay at a Midtown Manhattan luxury hotel. 

mercer hotel sohoHaving a high-caliber set of members like the fashion CEO is important to Marchay's business model. By guaranteeing that a certain type of client will book rooms, the travel collective can negotiate deals with more hotels. 

"We can book any hotel for our members, but then we have a selection of several hundred hotels where we have negotiated rates, and then we have some where we can negotiate upgrades and specific amenities," Backlund said. 

The Park Hyatt New York, Baccarat Hotel & Residences New York, and the Mandarin Oriental are just a few of the hotels that currently have a relationship with Marchay.

The travel service also recently coordinated a member's month-long stay at The Mercer in downtown Manhattan. 

It's that personal touch, Ein and Backlund say, that set them apart from a typical travel agency.

"It's about knowing the traveler and why they're traveling and what they're looking for in their travel," Ein said.

Backlund added: "Someone traveling to Los Angeles who works in venture capital might want something different from someone who works in entertainment. It's about matching the right member with the right property."

SEE ALSO: A star broker from 'Million Dollar Listing New York' says this is the most important skill to have when selling high-end homes

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NOW WATCH: A lavish Indian palace was just ranked the number one hotel in the world by TripAdvisor


We can't stop watching these jiggling cheesecakes from Japan

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In Osaka, Japan, a man nicknamed "Uncle Rikuro" has been making these jiggly cheesecakes for 27 years. The cakes are so popular that there are always lines around the block. The cakes are best served hot, fluffy and jiggling.

Story by Eloise Kirn, Editing by Stephen Parkhurst 

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Antigravity aerial yoga is taking fitness to new heights

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Antigravity aerial yoga is the latest fitness craze taking over the world, with participants hanging from hammocks and doing traditional yoga poses — in the air. The yoga is practiced at AntiGravity Fitness, which has locations all across the globe.

Story by Lisa Ryan and editing by Stephen Parkhurst

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The badass artist behind the nude Trump portrait that went viral created it to promote body positivity

12 reasons to visit Maui, the world's best island according to TripAdvisor

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maui hawaii

TripAdvisor released its annual Traveler's Choice awards for islands this week, and Maui in Hawaii took home top honors. The second-largest island in the Pacific state, Maui is celebrated for its lush climate, tranquil beaches, and wealth of outdoor activities. 

We've found 12 of the best — and most beautiful — reasons to visit this tropical paradise.

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Now Watch: A lavish Indian palace was just ranked the number one hotel in the world by TripAdvisor

Much of Maui is situated inside beautiful Haleakala National Park, home to a dormant volcano. Catch the sunrise from the top of its 10,023-foot peak.



The Road to Hana is a popular driving tour on the north side of the island. The narrow road has 600 curves and 54 bridges, many of them on just one lane. Those braving the harrowing road will be rewarded with stunning waterfalls, lush rainforest, and hidden beaches.



Molokini Crater is a tiny, crescent-shaped island off Maui's southwestern coast. The protected conservation district is rich in coral and fish biodiversity, and a popular spot for snorkelers and scuba divers.



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Here's the best time to rent or buy a home in the 'brutal' New York City market, according to realtors

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new york city

The real estate market in New York City is unlike the rest of the markets in the US.

Douglas Elliman's Margolis team, a partnership between Howard Margolis, Marie Espinal, and Jeff Adler, tells Business Insider "the rental market here is brutal compared to the other cities, because in any city in the world you can walk down the street, point to a building and say, 'I want to live in that building.' In New York, it doesn’t work that way."

According to the March 2016 Elliman Report, the median rent price in Manhattan is $3,300 — a 2.8% decrease from last year — making New York City the second most expensive US city to live in.

In fact, only the top 17% of earners in The Big Apple can truly afford to live in a one-bedroom apartment in Manhattan.

And for buyers, things aren't much better: Real estate website Zillow found the median price of homes listed in Manhattan to be about $1.93 million.

But if you want to live in New York City despite the hefty price tags, you should consider looking to rent or buy between late November and early January.

That's when you'll find the best prices for homes, the Margolis team says, because activity is low during the holidays and there could be more opportunity and rental concessions form the landlord to fill the apartments.

"Landlords might offer one or two months of rent for free or just a lowered monthly rent to give prospective renters more of an incentive to sign their lease," they tell Business Insider.

But, even with a "prime time" to buy in this city, rent prices are still high and out of reach for most.

"Any apartment here is worth more than a rental anywhere else, by virtue of being in New York City," says the Margolis team. "New Yorkers are willing to stretch themselves just to be here. The location justifies the price — making it all worth it."

SEE ALSO: You have to live in New York City more than 18 years to make buying a home worth your money

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NOW WATCH: A psychologist reveals a trick to stop being lazy

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