LOOK IN KC

BY Rachel Murphy

Wedding Belles

Is your refrigerator already littered with wedding invites? Yep, ours too. And while you can wear the same frock to all 12 of your summer marital soirées, where’s the fun in that? As a guest, you’re as much a part of the aesthetic as the owers and the champagne tower. Try pairing your wedding look with the venue for a fashion moment even the bride will enjoy.

VENUE: THE ABBOTT TREND: JUMPSUITS

Located in the East Crossroads, e Abbott is the perfect spot for a modern bride. With white-washed brick walls, glittering chandeliers, and sleek lines, this is the ideal wedding venue to rock a metallic jumpsuit. Cut from light, shimmering gold crepe, this one-shoulder a air is elegant, stylish, and easy to dance in. Break up the gold with black or stark white accessories for a bold look. CX pleated metallic jumpsuit, $145. Available at Clairvaux (Fairway). VENUE: LOOSE MANSION

TREND: SEPARATES

You’ve scored the most exclusive invite of the season—a society wedding at Loose Mansion. What to wear? Bring the glamour with evening separates from Emily Shalant. You can create your look with mix and match midi- and fulllength ball skirts paired with statement tops like this feathered moment that screams celebration. Emily Shalant feather top, $795, midi skirt, $250. Both available at Halls (Crown Center).

VENUE: CELLAR 222 TREND: FLORALS

If you wanted to go to Tuscany for a destination wedding but opted for an in-town a air, Cellar 222 gives you a little taste of the wine life. Go for Old-World beauty with bold orals in a owing silhouette like this sideruched V-neck wrap dress. With a dark background, the oral colors pop. Pair with a bold red lip, and you’ll be giving Sophia Loren vibes all evening. Joseph Ribkoff side-ruched fl oral dress, $260. Available at Alysa Rene Boutique (Park Place).

BY Rachel Murphy

Not So Rough Around The Edges

Gone are the days when a swipe of Dial soap in the shower was enough to keep the men of Kansas City looking good. Whether bearded or baby-faced, gents have plenty of skin- and beard-care options now, and many of the products are made right here in Kansas City. We’ve rounded up just a few of our favorites for keeping skin moisturized and facial hair kempt this summer season. skin moisturized and facial hair kempt this summer season. Add a little TLC to your beard with the Whiskey Beard Grooming Co. beard oil/balm combo. is two-step process features beard oil to moisturize and protect, followed by a beard balm to keep your face in place. Choose from sandalwood or

BALM IN BEARDLAND Add a little TLC to your beard with the Whiskey Beard Grooming Co. beard oil/balm combo. is two-step process features beard oil to moisturize and protect, followed by a beard balm to keep your face in place. Choose from sandalwood or lavender oil and follow with sandalwood or paradise balm. Bonus? Whiskey Beard is a Black-owned business located in the heart of downtown. Whiskey Beard Grooming Co. beard oil/balm combo, $37, available at Whiskey Beard Barbershop and Cigar Lounge (Downtown KC) or online at whiskeybeardbarber.com.

THE WORKS

Have you had a rough week? Time to leave it to the professionals. Feel like Don Draper after a trip to e Gents Place at Park Place in Leawood. More than a barbershop, e Gents Place o ers all the services you want but don’t want to talk about—manicures, pedicures, waxing, hot shaves, and even discreet hair color. Add in drinks, shoulder massages, and shoe shines, and you may never want to leave.

Make an appointment at thegentsplace.com. MINTY FRESH ere are plenty of beard oils, waxes, and balms for bearded guys, but are you starting with a clean slate? If you’re not, it’s time to snag a bottle of Believe in Your Beard Peppermint Foaming Beard Wash. Made with natural Castile soap for cleaning power and essential oils and vitamin E for moisturization, this will leave your chin hairs clean and ready for the day. Believe in Your Beard Peppermint Foaming Beard Wash, $12. Available at believeinyourbeard.com.

BY Rachel Murphy

Finding the Floor

BRAZILIAN JIUJITSU CHALLENGES AND PREPARES PRACTITIONERS

For many people, physical tness is more than just a series of exercises and calories burned. For Matt Gardner, it has always been a release, a way to focus energy and set personal goals. And while running and cycling had always been part of his routine, he found his passion when he dove into a martial art growing in popularity—Brazilian jiu-jitsu.

As a former high school wrestler, Brazilian jiu-jitsu was a natural progression. Both sports focus on submission holds that either score points or lead to submission, rather than strikes or kicks like in karate or taekwondo. Both are also competitive, and after two years of intensive training at Body t KC under black belt David Littlewood, Gardner tested his skills at the International Brazilian JiuJitsu Federation Pan American Championship, winning gold in his weight class and age group, earning his blue belt.

Training in Brazilian jiu-jitsu is di erent than in many

martial arts. Instead of strict practice structures such as the kata in karate, training in class focuses on technique, with a chance to spar with other practitioners to hone real-life applications. Gardner goes to class several times a week and nds himself pitted against ghters of all genders and sizes. Gardner says that the ability to ght against anyone keeps it interesting. “At levels higher than a white belt, you have an open class where all weights can compete,” Gardner says. “You could have a 120-pound black belt go against a 290-pound black belt, and yeah, the big guy will probably win. But if the little guy submits him, the little guy wins. Weight and size help, Matt Gardner but the submission is the great equalizer.” Because it builds skills to deal with any size opponent, Brazilian jiu-jitsu is an excellent method of selfdefense, especially for women. To learn more about Brazilian jiujitsu, visit jiujitsulegacy.com or bodyfi tkcmo.com.