I was channel surfing earlier today, when I stumbled on a TV show featuring a couple of local celebrities, and was aghast to spy more than one fashion faux pas!
In a column on menswear that I wrote for a daily newspaper - The Province - I often offered up tips so men grappling for the brass ring would have an advantage in the competitive world of business and commerce.
Since there appears to be a cry in the wilderness for help, here goes.
First, never wear a "Dress Suit" jacket with jeans; the look jars the sensibilities and often conjures up scorn from the top levels of management.
When you are properly suited up, take care of the finer points of dressing, too.
For instance, the tie should not be too long or too short; in fact, it should fall at waist level right at the "belt" line.
The cuff of your dress shirt should also fall crisply about 1/2 inch below the jacket sleeve. No more. No less.
To avoid looking like you came from the wrong side of the tracks, never press your dress pants with the hot iron directly on the fabric - otherwise - you'll end up with an unsightly shine in the pants. Tacky, and cheap-looking!
Most important!
The cuff of your pant leg should break - just so - at the front of your dress shoe. For this reason, it may be wise to take the shoe you'll be wearing to the tailor when the cuff is hemmed to ensure precision in this regard.
Never wear a boutonniere and a pocket handkerchief at the same time because it is strictly verboten. Along the same line of thinking, please note that teaming up suspenders with a belt is considered redundant, so avoid it like a trendy fashion plague.
And, it would be wise to listen up in respect to shoes, too; never wear brown shoes with a black suit.
Also, be sure to ban white socks from a dress suit ensemble.
You'd be wise to take note that a boss often looks at your feet first as a test of character. If the shoes are properly buffed and shined - unscuffed and not broken down at the heels - you'll make your way up the corporate ladder faster than you can say "Donald Trump".
For sure, don't go overboard with any controlled clashing of patterns.
The quirky idea was a trend for a while, but generally, the rule of thumb is this: if you're not experienced with mixing and matching techniques, stick with one pattern and two plains.
For instance, if the tie is patterned, harmonize it with a plain jacket and a plain shirt so that the colors and textures offset the cravat.
However, if there is a pattern in the jacket (even if it is only due to a noticeable texture in the fabric such as ribbing in herringbone) go for a plain shirt.
Also, make sure the hues in the jacket and tie are complementary and the colors are coordinated and harmonized tastefully.
If you want to avoid another silly mistake, always take both pieces of the suit to the cleaners for drycleaning; otherwise, if one item is pressed more often than the other, it will fade and look unmatched and underscore your lack of fashion savvy.
By the way, it is generally uncouth to wear a sport jacket with blue jeans, unless the denims are brand new and neatly pressed. Only wear grungy jeans with a broken-in corduroy jacket - maybe with patches on the elbows, for instance - to effect that campus or devil-may-care Prof look.
Finally, only wear one or two pieces of understated tasteful pieces of jewellery, like a quality watch and ring. None on the pinky finger, please.
And, avoid walking into the room with the overpowering scent of bar soap or Old Spice emanating from your person.
The women (in some cases, even the guys) will run the other way.
Remember, it's style - not the clothes - that make the man!
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