When putting together your suit, the options are endless. The smallest details determine its look and comfort and ultimately, the impression you make. Details are in the genius. Adding a pocket square will enhance your appearance, providing you some pop and a subtle elegance.
A good rule of thumb when looking for inspiration for your wardrobe, is not the current fad in the nearest Details magazine, but looking back on someone that did it better. A time when dressing well was expected but also had rules that were meant to be broken, letting an original shine that much brighter from those afraid to take chances. During mid century America, James Dean was one of those. He didn’t care about keeping himself pretty like his fellow actors, but got dirty and real. Living life, instead of fearing it, is what makes him a style icon and much more.
Building a wardrobe that won’t go out of style is a long term investment, helping to keep your clothing budget in line while looking your best. The first step, however, is understanding the basics, the fundamentals in which to build from. You need to rely on a few stock items that can be used for any situation. Following are the 10 must have, absolute, fundamental items that every man should keep on hand – and on the rest of his body.
As you already know, we’re a fan of AMC’s Mad Men series. There’s something about its classic style we find appealing, from the office furniture to their timeless suits. Even the accessories make an impression: tie clips, collar pins and cuff links all finding their place again in a man’s wardrobe. Of course, the snappy writing ties it all together, along with the undercurrent of sexual tension simmering beneath Don Draper’s fearless gaze.
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…
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.
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.
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.
It’s boring. It’s bland. It’s not sexy. But it works.
Because it’s timeless. It’s versatile. It’s old reliable.
A man should have at least one white dress shirt in his closet. It will become a staple for his wardrobe, much like a pair of jeans. This is because it matches any color suit, in any season, at any event. Matching a suit and tie to a white shirt is a breeze, saving time and money. Sometimes, we just have more pressing concerns. Read more…
The baseball playoffs have started, football is entering its 6th week, hockey had its opener and basketball is about to begin. So if you need a sports fix, there’s plenty of good options right now. This past Sunday I was watching the Patriots and Broncos stage an epic battle relaxing on the sofa, pizza in one hand, beer in another. I was distracted, however, by the grotesque uniforms adorned by the Broncos. Just brutal.
