Philip Sparks knocked my (and his models) socks off at Gen Art's Fresh Faces fashion show on Wednesday. His muted color palette with pops of mustard and modern, yet dapper designs showed Chicago guys that it's time to step up their game.

Some tips:

Trade in the North Face for a fitted blazer or rugged biker jacket.

Lose the sneakers and get a pair of leather oxfords or loafers.

Several of the said men in the audience scoffed at the sight of the models in short-shorts but, hey, that's the Midwestern man for you.

I say if you got it, flaunt it.