Deo Veritas – Dress Shirts and Lifestyle

So hopefully you were able to learn a few things from our last post on what to avoid with men’s fashion. There are many trappings that we’ve all succumbed to at one point or another, with the right intentions but with the wrong outcome. So without further delay…

• Novelty Tee Shirts: We’ve all seen them. Maybe it was a gift with good intentions or at the time, it just seemed so funny you had to have it. Well, it’s not so funny when that hottie thinks you’re a dork but digs your friend in the blazer and button down. These shirts are trendy, tacky and won’t work in most situations, other than buffing polish on your dress shoes or hanging out at home. Personally, I like plain tees or something with understated graphics. Don’t think Ed Hardy.

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I’m not a seasoned expert on men’s fashion, but I do know how to separate the truth from drivel. Basically, what looks good and can last versus a short term trend. I’m going to provide you a brief guide on the perils of men’s fashion. Buckle up.

• Spandex: This is practical for professional athletes or those training for athletic competition, such as road bike racing or track and field. You need to be in great shape to pull it off. Even if you have great quads or giant glutes, having them on full display in the wrong situation, along with your package, is still an eye sore.  It’s best to think “less is more.” Let the ladies give you something nice to look at instead of your buddy. If you really need to squeeze them on, then wear something over them like shorts. Adrian Greiner should have known better. And what’s up with the girl next to him?

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While walking about in my pea coat on Veteran’s Day, I couldn’t help but think about its tradition. Timeless, iconic and classic can all describe the pea coat, but I’d prefer to use reliable.  I’ve had mine for the past 6 years and it still beats off the snow, rain and wind in the windy city.  But it looks sharp too, working well with most anything such as a suit or sweater, jeans or slacks. It’s reliable because it keeps you warm, makes you look good and lasts a long time, perfect for the oncoming winter.

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When pairing a tie with a dress shirt, most of the time we hardly give consideration to the collar. We think color and shape, match as appropriate and then we’re on our way, ready to save the day. But not so fast. Different collars offer different spreads and a tie’s knot can help define your appearance, giving the right impression. It could be for a job interview, a wedding or just another day at the office, but it never hurts to give a good impression.

There are three basic tie knots which can be learned here. The Full Windsor Knot has the largest knot, followed by the Half Windsor and then the Four In Hand.

Whenever you have a spread or wide collar with your dress shirt, it’s best to use a larger knot to fill the space in between, such as a Full Windsor or Half Windsor Knot. If you’re feeling bold, go for the Double Windsor. One note about spread collars, is it looks best with those who have narrow or slim shaped faces. Here’s Lebron sporting a wide collar and a Full Windsor.

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