?You can judge a gentleman by his shoes? is a familiar phrase to most of us, but surely in this day and age such archaic ideas are obsolete, right? Wrong, says well-known vlogger, blogger and men?s fashion stylist Monish Panjabi from The Snazzy Man. Footwear still forms a very integral part of fashion for men. Men?s fashion is not as limitless as women?s fashion can be. Shoes are one thing, which leaves room for some versatility.

All you need to do is pay a little more attention to what you walk in. If you are one of those who never gave a flying thought about fashion, and buy whatever black shoe you pick up first that fits you, then more options may actually confuse you and you may end up making a fashion disaster. To avoid that, Exec Lifestyle has compiled a list with the help of stylist Monish Panjabi that will be your guide for fashionable footwear.

Dare to experiment:

While most men keep it simple as far as their wardrobe is concerned, they are fairly open to experimenting with footwear. A good footwear is the key to a great look and in order to look sharp at all times, it is absolutely essential that your shoe game be on point. Top executives represent the brand/company they work for, so coming across anything but well dressed and prim is not an option.

Step in the boss?s shoes:

As far as corporate footwear is concerned you have to make sure that whatever you wear is representative of the work environment and at the same time reflects your own unique personality too. Keeping in mind the dress code followed by most corporates, Oxford Brogues and Monk Strap shoes are two varieties that can be styled effectively while giving it a wee bit more character than your usual wingtip formal shoes. These shoes come in various light and dark hues that can be worn in contrast with formal wear.

This season?s favourites:

Penny Loafers are trending this season. Its versatility is what makes it such a great piece. It can be worn with casuals for an edgy look and of course with formals because of the timeless cut and design. The same goes for Captoe Brogues since they are more playful with colour, using contrast detailing for a snazzy look. Strictly for corporate wear, this season, deeper maroons and mahogany have been trending. These colours go extremely well when paired with or against a variety of colours. Panjabi suggests investing in one such statement-making colour that can spruce up your otherwise standard work look.

Going the brand way:

For shoes, the top trending brands are Ruosh, Knotty Derby, Steve Madden, Aldo and Clarks. These brands have superb designs, great fits and most of all top-notch quality.

Follow their footprints:

Ranveer Singh and Arjun Kapoor strut the red carpets with their eccentric sense of style in the outfits they wear. Whether it's formal, semi formal or casual, the outfits are always on point. These two have been rocking the modern brogue trend very often with their formal suits, dinner jackets and indo-fusion outfits.David Gandy and David Beckham have been flaunting the Captoe Brogues and the Penny Loafers (in various colours) quite effortlessly. These are perfect when paired with dress trousers, casual chinos and suits.

(Justin Timberlake)

For more assistance on men?s fashion and styling, one can check out Panjabi?s blog - The Snazzy Man or catch up with him on Twitter @thesnazzyman.

By Papri Das

India Today Group consulting editor and popular news anchor Rajdeep Sardesai, couldn?t have asked for a better way to ring in his 50th birthday on 24 May -- playing cricket with his best buddies! ?Celebrated my birthday by doing what I always once did on birthdays - played a cricket match! Can't think of a better way to ring in the 50th year of life,? said an excited Sardesai in posts on social networks, as he took a trip down memory lane, sitting in a room overlooking the CCI stadium in Mumbai.

To Rajdeep, cricket is special for more than one reason -- his own passion for the game as a player back when he was in college, and his father Dilip Sardesai, who was well-known test cricketer. ?It was here back in 1965, ironically the year of my birth, that my old man scored a double century against the Kiwis, one of the great innings of Indian cricket. I miss him but feel that his spirit guides me through good times and bad,? quipped the only veteran journalist with a profile for himself on cricinfo.

As much as Rajdeep was excited to get in the thick of action, his fitness - or the apparent lack of it - almost played spoilsport. ?The mind was willing, the body struggled. The fitness levels varied, but the enthusiasm made up for the failing waistlines. We had great fun and eventually the match was tied! And probably fixed too!? he added in jest.

Known for his rather grave on-screen personality, it was amusing to see Rajdeep?s old friends teasing him over returning to the pavilion after his short brief knock of a measly 15 runs. ?Happy half a century in life boss Rajdeep Sardesai! Though you got out for just 15 runs today at Bombay Gymkhana,? joked his friend and former Ranji cricketer Shishir Hattangadi. ?Let's meet here again when you hit a century in life in 2065," he added.

Rajdeep?s birthday was an occasion for old buddies from south Mumbai?s Campion School to raise a toast to him. Musician Sanjay Maroo, Mohieranjan Patel, Rahul Patel, Asit Oberoi and Uday More joined in to wish him the best in life. Rajdeep also got together with his brother-in-law and sister Shonali Sardesai's husband Taimur Baig for a lavish meal at the eclectic European cuisine restaurant Indigo in Colaba, Mumbai.

His wife and well known journalist Sagarika Ghose, who matches Rajdeep?s sense of humour, couldn?t help commenting, ?After all the old monk consumed over 50 years, the birthday cake had to have a bit of rum.?

Rajdeep, we at Indiantelevision.com can only raise another glass to you and say, ?Bottoms up.?

In this  episode of Talking Point, your host Papri Das chats up the very dynamic CEO and founder of The 120 Media Collective, Roopak Saluja, who preaches and professes in keeping on par with international content.

Hailing from a multi-cultural background and having stayed in more than 10 different cities across the world, Roopak has learned to adapt and multi-task, even owning his own record label as a DJ. Here?s a tete a tete with Roopak Saluja.

Money can?t buy you happiness but it can surely buy the means to keep you happy. And for those with an eclectic taste in lifestyle, happiness often means being able to indulge in their passions. From antique collections, luxury rides, limited editions ranges, to auctions that the world has their eyes on, Exec Lifestyle gives you a sneak peek into the uber rich lifestyle.

This week, we have the perfect fix for your luxury holiday, something to keep your grey cells engaged, edible gold, and more.

For a romantic getaway

To spend a fortnight on a luxurious holiday means you need to equip yourself withthe right luggage carrier, and the Tumi Arrive Zurich 4 Wheeled Expandable is justthe thing you need. A unique blend of contemporary understatement and Tumi?s advance technology, this fortnight travel accessory is meticulously appointed with the finest aesthetic and engineering features imaginable. This extra-large packing case, Arriv?, has the easy maneuverability of a four-wheel design and flexibility with a main compartment that expands 2.5". Polyester fabric, striking chrome accents, custom-made handles, intelligent interior organization and numerous patented components are some of the other features this suitcase has to offer. Price: 99,500 INR

Tickle your brains

A clever piece of puzzle game that tests your wits, the Rubik cube, invented by Erno Rubik, has always been fascinating toy, with its fans among some of world?s most eminent personalities.  This simple game has also won many awards for the genius concept behind it. Invented in 1974, its fortieth anniversary was specially commemorated by Fred Cuellar CEO and founder of Diamond Cutters International, by creating a jewelled masterpiece version of the regular Rubik Cube. Called the ?Mona Lisa?, this special Rubik Cube is embedded with several precious metals and stones - 18 carat yellow gold, 22.5 carat Amethyst, 34 carat Emerald and 34 carat of Ruby. Diamonds, sapphires, emeralds and rubies have replaced the classic coloured panels. Valued at $2.5 million, it is the most expensive puzzle in the world.

Not just for any sport

It?s a given that the costliest sport in the world will have the costliest accessories to go with it. Bringing a smile on every passionate and extravagant golf lover in the world is the BW1 Golf Cart hovercraft ? a creatively designed golf cart fitted with 65 hp twin cylinder Hirth engine. As a result of which, this golfer?s joy ride is unparalleled in terms of dexterity of movement. Manufactured to carry four golfers and two golf bags with ease, this hovercraft is making a buzz for its patented fly by wire reverse thrust system. It gives it a backwards speed of 25 mph. Golfers looking for comfort, ease, and precision can order this game companion at Hammacher Schlemmer for a princely sum of $58,000.

Edible gold

Fritz Knipschildt, a Danish baker, is popularly given the title of Willy Wonka of Connecticut for creating the most expensive chocolate in the world - the Madeleine. His shop, Knipschildt Chocolatier in South Norwalk, Connecticut, is famous for using fresh ingredients, without any preservatives and additives. The best of his hand made artisan products is the Madeleine itself, whose ingredients include - a creamy truffle ganache made from French Valrhona chocolate blended with fresh cream infused with vanilla pods and pure Italian truffle oil. But the rich and expensive ingredients alone don?t justify the jaw-dropping price tag it carries. According to its creator, the price is a reflection of the hair splitting skill the chef needs to have to make this chocolate. The ganache, which is another constituent of this mouth-watering delicacy, is whipped and folded by hand for a long time to make it as silky.

The chef also has to endure freezing temperature when folding the hand rolling of Perigold truffle inside the ganache. Needless to say that one needs to place a special advanced order to purchase this chocolate. These chocolates have a price tag of approximately $2,600 per pound in quantity.

A pricey mistake

The enthusiastic and passionate brigade of philatelists or stamp collectors all over the world have created a demand in the market for rare and unique stamps. As a result, some of them have attained ridiculously high prices. But nothing beats ?Treskilling Yellow?- the only single stamp originally priced at a paltry $2.5. The most expensive stamp was originally printed in Sweden, and was actually a result of a mistake. Instead of their regular three-skilling stamp on green stock, it was printed on a yellow stock paper, therefore the name ?Treskillin Yellow. The Stamp has given rise to popular fashion of wearing T Shirts with a Treskilling Yellow stamp logo on it. After changing several hands, it reached an auction value of over $2.3 million in 2010.

Keep an eye on this section for your weekly updates of extravaganza.

By Papri Das

What can be rightfully touted as world?s biggest celebration of Indian cinema on an international platform, the International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) Awards is back with bang this year donning a brand new color, literally. For the first time, Viacom18?s Colors will be the broadcaster of the 16th annual IIFA Awards with Kuala Lampur as its stage.

And that?s not the only thing new about this edition of Bollywood?s biggest international extravaganza. From exciting fashion debuts on the ramp, business conferences, to digital audience getting no-holds-barred access to all the Videocon d2h IIFA Weekend action through their phone apps -- here are a list of all things new that make IIFA 2015 a never before seen experience.

1) In a new shade:

After Star and Sony, it's time now for Colors to give its unique touch to IIFA Awards 2015 as the official broadcasting partner. Expressing his excitement over this collaboration, actor Anil Kapoor rightly puts, ?One can only expect something spectacular when you have creative minds like Raj Nayak from Colors and Andre Timmins from Wizcraft come together for a single cause.?

And spectacular it shall be, promises Colors CEO Raj Nayak. ?We at Colors believe in delivering content in our own unique style and IIFA Awards is no exception. To achieve this our creative team has been constantly working together with Wizcraft in every aspect of the show including the weekend activities. With all the efforts that has been put in to scale up the show, we are sure that this year?s IIFA is definitely a can?t miss event on the calendar,? he said.

2) Live the live experience:

IIFA Awards 2015 has come up with the best way to reward its worldwide netizen fans by connecting them with all the action in Kuala Lampur, without any lag or delay, through the popular VOD platform #Fame. ?For the first time ever in the history of IIFA awards, millions of viewers can catch all the action on their phone live and uncut, and even get to interact with the top stars in real time. Available in beta on iOS and Android, the app will allow performers to beam live to the fans and audiences through their smartphones,? informs #fame CEO Saket Saurabh.

3) Ranveer - Arjun reprise their (un)-holy union:

The spunky duo of Ranveer Singh and Arjun Kapoor from Gunday are to reprise their awesome repartee and chemistry, as the hosts of the IIFA Awards this year. With these two boys on board, the film fraternity can expect the entertainment quotient to go up by several notches. The promos released on Colors show the two dressed as ascetics pining for redemption after their nationwide ?roasting? session.

When asked about that, Kapoor jokingly says that IIFA is the right platform for them to redeem their lost reputation after their notorious appearance in the AIB Knockout Roast session, which caused such a sensation. Count on them to leave no stone unturned to complete your dose of mischief, humour, and repartee that will leave you in splits.

4) Glam it up:

When you think award show, you think red carpet, and any red carpet event?s highlight is fashion. IIFA 2015 not only promises you a glammed up red carpet event, but it will also host the IIFA Fashion Extravaganza with hosts Neha Dhupia and Vivek Oberoi. The show will feature well-known names in the fashion circuit like Masaba Gupta who will showcase her line inspired by the golden IIFA trophy, Rocky S who is going monochrome this season, and Gaurang Shah, with his debut IIFA collection.

5) Sonakshi Sinha to make singing debut

The Dabangg actress Sonakshi Sinha, who will soon be seen as a judge in Indian Idol Junior is all set to make her singing debut at Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Yes, you heard us right! Sinha will sing live at the IIFA Rocks musical extravaganza. Sinha confessed that singing at IIFA would be a dream come true for her. ?I must thank from Wizcraft for letting me do this at such a huge platform as IIFA,? she said, adding that the audience can expect some powerful performances from the B?town ladies at the show. Hosted by actors Ayushmann Khurrana and Parineeti Chopra, IIFA Rocks, an exclusive music extravaganza, will see a host of musical performances by Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy, Mika, Ankit Tiwari and Kanika Kapoor amongst others.

Want more exciting updates on the behind the scene fun at the IIFA awards? Stay tuned to Exec Life!

By Papri Das

Often when we go to a formal party or a social dinner at a five star restaurant and the waiter comes up to ask us what kind of wine we would like to have, we find ourselves at a loss for words ? sparkling or rose? Chablis or Bordeaux Reds? What difference does it make when you can?t tell one from the other? You probably can afford the most expensive bottle on the menu, but don?t know what makes it so pricey. Embarrassing as it may be, such is the case with most of us who haven?t grown up in the wine culture, and are suddenly thrown into a social setting where we are expected to be experts on the subject.

For ages, wine has been a symbol of prosperity, celebration, love, eclectic taste, affluence and status in the society. Since a good bottle of wine continues to be an investment of sorts, the knowledge of wine remains limited to those who have inherited it from their earlier generation as a practice and to the extremely passionate wine aficionados. Like Vishal Kadakia, the founder and CEO of Wine Park, which is a boutique wine importing and distributing company in India supplying wines from 11 countries, 26 wine regions and 30 top quality producers.

Exec Lifestyle caught up with this renowned wine aficionado to get answers to some frequently asked questions on wines for our readers.

Is knowledge of wines important in socializing?

Absolutely. Today entertainment has become a very important part of business. Knowledge on wine, playing golf is integral for executives to know and learn. If clients enjoy your company, business becomes a lot easier. Knowing your wines over dinner and having a conversation is an art, which many people value and can help you bond.

Where does one start?

The best way to introduce amateurs to wine culture is to try wines of different styles. Like whites wines, red wines, rose wines and sparkling wines. Once the person enjoys a particular style then he/she can further start to try different wines in that particular style. For example: If a person enjoys white wines then he/she can try different white grape varietals such as Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Riesling, Viognier etc. Experimenting is the key to unlock your preferences.

Is there a right way to have a glass of wine?

Yes there is, and it is simpler than we make it to be. Drink wine in a wine glass. Make sure that you hold the glass by the stem and not the bowl. Fill the wine glass upto 1/3 only so that when you swirl the glass there is no spillage. Swirl the glass regularly to release the aromas. Keep sipping and enjoying. If it?s a white wine, you enjoy have it chilled (10 C). If you like red wine, have it at 16 C (slightly chilled). Having a red wine at room temperature will kill the taste of the wine and it will taste flat.

What are the most popular wines amongst wine enthusiasts?

Wine aficionados like to experiment a lot. They generally like wines of particular style, which are more region specific. The more popular ones are: Chablis (White wine from Burgundy France), Barolo & Barberesco (Red wines from Piedmont, Italy), Super Tuscans (Red wines from Tuscany, Italy), Bordeaux Reds, Rhone Reds (Wines from Chateauneuf du Pape, Cote Rotie), Napa Reds (Wine from Napa Valley, California, USA) and Champagne (Sparkling wines from Champage, France).

Is there something like ?affordable? wine?

In India wine drinking is expensive due to taxes. However there are several Indian wines available, which are affordable to drink. A normal salary person can start with them and if he develops a linking for it, he can explore further. The possibilities are endless.

Vishal not only shared his suggestions for a new wine enthusiast, but also corrected some commonly mistaken myths when it comes to buying a bottle of wine. The following are the most common myths in buying a wine:

1. ?Older the wine, the better it is? : No. Most of the wines that you buy should not be more than two ? three years olds. The younger vintage is more fresh and fruity, which an amateur wine drinker always enjoys.

2. If it French, then it is the best -- No. New wine drinkers enjoy more fruit forward wines, which are wines from the new world (Argentina, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand). French wines (considered old world) are more savoury in style. Also there are amazing wines made in several other countries other than France alone.

3. ?Going for the cheapest imported wines? -- Just because it is imported does not mean it is good. Please buy with a bit of research.

4. ?White wine is for women? : Only if you are a male chauvinist. For a novice, the place to start is by drinking white wines, moving on to roses and then light bodied red wines like a Pinot Noir or Pinotage.

5. ?If the wine is in screw cap it is a inferior wines as compared to wines sealed in corks? -- Untrue. Some of the best wines in the world come in screw cap. The wines in screw cap remain fresher and more importantly it is much easier to open for a novice then a wine sealed in cork.