Olney, Illinois is far from being the most fashionable town. Really far. But that does not mean that the men of this community shouldn’t look their best. In my line of work I wear a tie to work everyday. Sometimes it is just a tie alone, and some days it is a suit and tie. The people that walking into my place of business come from all walks of life, but one thing that seems common is their perception that they must look ‘good.’ I am often amused at people’s definition of ‘good.’
In an effort to bring a little class and style to my small corner of the world I have been putting together a short style guide for men.
1. Fit is King – The most dramatic improvement you can make in your style is to make sure everything fits. Most guys wear clothes that are too large. Make sure everything you wear is almost hugging the curves of your body - without being tight. Bad fit is an epidemic, cure yourself.
2. Keep it current – That suit you wore to your daughter’s wedding in 1975 should not be worn to your brother’s funeral in 2009. In fact, it shouldn’t be in your closet at all. And by the way, it doesn’t still fit.
3. Change the way you see casual - casual doesn’t have to be boring. Have fun with collared shirts, or take some inspiration from those who approach casual a bit differently. If your workplace allows casual dress, then I encourage you to do it in your own unique style. Save the golf shirt and kakis for your weekend on Hilton Head.
4. Pay attention to your supporting pieces – We have entered sweater season. Some sweaters are lean and others are big and chunky. The first rule of thumb is that your top and bottom halves need to match. If you’re wearing a big, chunky, rugged fisherman knit sweater, your bottom needs to be rugged, too. Don’t wear a big bulky sweater from the GAP with a beautiful silk-and-wool suit pant. Instead, wear it with something as casual as cargoes or jeans, or dress it up with a tweed blazer. Don’t know what tweed is? …we have bigger problems.
5. Never go shopping alone – You can never really trust the sales people because they usually work for commission (at high end stores), or could care less about your style. The buddy system should always be used while shopping. But be sure your buddy will tell you the truth.
6. Stay at least a notch above - Don’t overdo it to a fault, but still take some risks. It’s always better to be a little bit overdressed than underdressed in a situation. All you have to do is think about where and who you’re going to be with and just step it up one notch. But make sure you’re not better dressed than someone who is more important in a certain setting, like you’re boss or the groom. You can always diminish an over dressed look, but it is not possible to dress up jeans and a polo.
7. Never underestimate the power of details – The last thing on is usually the first thing noticed. So mind the details instead of throwing together the main parts of your outfit. “Details” can include a scarf, a subtle pocket square, to the way you tie your tie knot. Yes, gentlemen, there is more than one way to tie a knot. I am shocked at the number of men that ask me to tie their necktie before they walk into my business. Speaking of ties…never wear a tie with a short-sleeved dress shirt. Better yet, never buy a dress shirt with short sleeves.
8. Invest in a good pair of shoes – If it’s one thing that women will notice, it’s your shoes. Especially how clean they are. It’s easy to wash and press (or steam) the rest of your clothes to keep them looking new, but most guys disregard their shoes. Show you’re a man of taste by getting a nice pair of shoes and keeping them in pristine condition. It’s the fastest way to showing others that you take care of yourself. And remember this simple rule when wearing a suit: Dress up = laces up. Never wear loafers or slip on shoes with a suit.
9. Fashion Tees and logos – When you’re going around with a big logo on your shirt, you risk looking like a walking billboard. Nobody cares about the brand of your shirt. And that fun tee that says “Keep staring…I might do a trick” should not be worn after 8th grade. Be an adult.
10. Disregard trends – You shouldn’t wear something just because it’s “in” right now. Always build a versatile and timeless (or classic) wardrobe first, and then bring in your own twists with some of the new stuff. This one tip has saved me so much money. But be warned…while some styles are promised to “come back,” they may come back with subtle differences that will certainly date your wardrobe if you hold on to pieces too long. Learn to let go!
11. Don’t be a sucker for brand names - Don’t be a yuppie. Before you decide to purchase an item, ask yourself if you are buying it because it’s “in style” or because it genuinely suits you. Ask yourself if you would buy the garment if it didn’t have a logo on it. I generally pass on garments that have their brand blazoned in an effort to grab attention.
12. Stay away from clogs and Crocs - They do not look good on anybody. I don’t care if they are comfortable. Enough said.
13. An undershirt is an undershirt - An undershirt is meant to be worn underneath your dress shirt or sweater to absorb the sweat, dirt, and body oils that we all inevitable secrete. (Nice, right?) I do advocate laundering your shirts after a days wear. An undershirt should ALWAYS be worn under a dress shirt. Nobody wants to see your man nipples silhouetted behind that sheer white dress shirt. Please do not wear a wife beater, v-neck, or crew-neck undershirt by itself with jeans after the age of 18. Ever.
14. Upgrade your shave - Even if all the threads are gold, an unkempt beard can be an instant attraction killer. A few days worth of scruff looks good on certain people, but chances are that you are not one of those people. Achieve that perfect shave by adding a shave brush, soap & old-fashioned double-edged razor. They got that right back in the old days.
15. Experiment with style – The only way you’ll really learn, is if you go out there and try new things. If you make mistakes, life goes on. So many guys are afraid to express themselves through their style, don’t be one of them. Never follow the crowd.
