Blog

Style Advice for Men who are Going Places


 

They say don’t judge a book by it’s cover, but lets face it, our ‘cover’ is the first thing people see. Your style is a statement about where you want to be, how you want to be treated and who you are. It can change or establish other’s first opinions about you and is a great way to express yourself that can influence how you feel and even how you perform; for example, a great suit might make you feel more prepared and confident to nail that presentation, that pitch, that proposal, that interview or investor meeting.

Some of the most stylish guys around have a few key items they put to good use. While having a killer wardrobe might sound like it’s going to take a lot of money to do, if you focus on these 3 items as a foundation, you’ll have what you need to make your moves as stylishly as possible.

The Power Suit

This is a non-negotiable. As an ensemble, the power suit exudes power and confidence and says “You got this.” Split up into the 3 pieces, you have power suit elements that you can mix and match with plenty of other pieces in your closet, depending on the occasion. For a completely formal look, the 3 piece suit is ready to go. For business formal, you can lose the vest and keep the blazer, dress shirt and dress pants. For business casual, you’ll have the dress pants and dress shirt on deck; and for a casual Fridays look, you’ll need just one of these elements to mix with a casual piece.

An off the rack suit might get the job done, but it’s those miniscule details in the stitching, the lines, the smoothness of the material and how it frames you that is going to sell your look. Off the rack can be ill-fitting and bulky, making you look generic and sloppy. It’s crucial that you get an expertly tailored suit to ensure that you have a much cleaner look.

Shoes

A man who’s going places, figuratively and literally, should have impeccable taste in shoes. It’s the period on the sentence of your look; imagine Idris Elba on the red carpet in a black and white classic suit, rocking some Crocs...see what we mean? It’s a pretty dramatic example, but it can be applied more subtly. The point is - your shoes finish your look, so they need to look great.

Quality dress shoes can come in a variety of brands, models and colors, for example: Oxfords, Derbys, and Brogues. If you’re attending a wedding or a more formal event then you should wear the oxford or derby shoes; however, if you’re going for more of a casual look then you should go with the brogues.

Tailored Dress Shirts

You’re going to need at least one or a few custom made dress shirts. You might think a made-to-measure dress shirt might be unnecessary, since dress shirts are under a blazer; but they have the versatility to be worn without a blazer at times and this is when the quality is going to be obvious. Also, an off the rack shirt isn’t ever going to fit your torso, chest and shoulders perfectly; with so many unique body types, an off the rack shirt might bulge in some areas, and bunch up in others, creating weird lumps and shapes under a blazer.

Being a winner sometimes starts with feeling like a winner. And looking like one might just be that first step you needed to start getting to those places that you’re going. Invest in these key pieces and you’ll be well on your way!

 

Menswear: Looks That Take You From Day To Night

Reaching Friday means you made it; you powered through the week and achieved what you set out to do. Lose the stuffy Monday getup and go for a more casual, laid back look. Now, we don’t mean untidy - we’re talking an outfit that still says ‘I mean business’ during the day but is relaxed enough to take you to happy hour later. The right Friday outfit is an art; you want to look like you’re here to get things done, but you’re going somewhere better later. That means, in Laymans terms: contemporary, clean, and comfortable and never uptight.

The Power Suit

You already need the 2 or 3 piece suit for business and formal occasions. These are your ‘power’ suits. You should invest a decent amount here because you’re not just paying for 2 or 3 great suits; you’re also getting a long list of possible combinations for other situations. You take elements of these power suits and combine them with a variety of looks so you can mix and match; it’s a great way to keep your looks fresh. A smart man requires a smart wardrobe and a smart wardrobe is one with versatility and longevity.  Create contrast using one dressy element with a casual element:

  • Dress shirt plus chino pants
  • Blazer with a casual shirt and jeans
  • Blazer, dress shirt, skinny tie and dress pants
  • Loose the tie and unbutton your dress shirt for a more relaxed look

The goal is to look and feel like a million bucks. And off the rack suits are not making the cut. The name of the game is customization with a signature style. An expertly tailored suit gives a polished, clean-cut look versus the cookie-cutter suit that only looks good on the mannequin.

Shoes

A man’s shoes are the foundation of his style… every man should own certain key styles to set the foundation to his closet. They’re an essential piece that can set the tone on your look. The styles should range from casual to formal, come in a variety of materials and colors, and have soles that can survive all weather conditions.

These are some key shoe styles that should be used as your building blocks:

  • The Oxfords: Not your everyday shoe, but still a necessity when it comes to any formal event. The cap toe style is perfect companion to your suit or if you want a dressier workplace shoe, then the whole-cut style is your goto. Made from leather, they’re normally black or brown.
  • Derbies: Perfect for dressing up a pair of jeans or adding an audacious look to your suit, Derbies are a completely versatile shoe. Less formal than Oxfords, they’re distinguished by the fact that the shoe lace tabs are stitched on top of the shoe itself.
  • The Chelsea Boots: Made from either suede or leather and detailed with elastic bands and pull tabs for an easy, flexible fit. Perfect for the “suited and booted” look.

Tailored Dress Shirts

Think about your dress shirt as your support system. It’s what compliments your sport jacket, it frames your face, and with shape it enhances your masculine silhouette. You’re dress shirt is an essential piece because it can be worn under a blazer or by itself with a tie or without a tie for a business casual look. Regardless of how it’s being worn, your dress shirt should fit perfectly to define your silhouette.  A neutral colored cotton dress shirt lays the perfect foundation for your day to night look.

Looking like a mannequin/cookie cutter style is no way to stand out - off the rack suits just don't give you that clean cut look / looks generic. On the flip side, having a completely tailored wardrobe will have you breaking the bank. The key is to invest in a few essential tailor made pieces: Custom Dress shirts, 3 piece suits & tailored blazers.

Custom Dress Shirt: First Layer of Style

Part of feeling great is looking great. The key to looking like a boss in your suit is paying close attention to detail to ensure your quality. When you’re picking out the style of your suit, you always start with the dress shirt since it’s what sets the tone and dictates the lines and shape. Think about your dress shirt as your support system. It’s what compliments your sport jacket, it frames your face, and with the shape, it enhances your masculine silhouette. So what’s the difference between an off the rack suit and a tailor made suit? Why should you invest in a tailored suit? The answer is simple… Details. It’s the handmade details that give the shirt its quality and beauty.

Blazer

The Blazer is your shell and the first thing someone is going to see. The color, the fabric and lines all have to be on point. Want a classic look? Black blazer and white or light colored dress shirt underneath does the trick. Want a casual look? Mix up that blazer with some dressed down chinos or jeans; Want a vintage look? Rock a pinstripe blazer or a double breasted blazer. There’s so much to play with when it comes to a great made-to-measure blazer; the key is - the better the fit, the better the look.

Vest

The vest adds a dynamic layer underneath your blazer and over your dress shirt. It’s an intriguing piece that really leaves you looking well dressed. It really dresses you up for formal occasions such as weddings, galas and red carpet appearances. Want to rock that vintage, hipster look? A vest in-between your blazer and dress shirt will pull it off - add an old montre de poche or pocketwatch for a finishing touch.

The rest is simple: great dress pants, a solid selection of dress shoes and of course, your confidence to put the exclamation point on this. Pro tip: You can knock 4 off of this list ( the dress shirt, the blazer, the pants and the vest) in one fell swoop when you purchase a 3 piece suit together.