Neckties have been around since thousands of years ago. It was during the reign of China’s first emperor when historians unearthed replicas of the ruler’s terracotta warriors and found that they wore large bandanna-like cloths around their necks. Thus, the world’s earliest neckties were conceived.
Nowadays, neckties are favored by males from a variety of occupations. From skinny ties, broad ties, knotted ties and ties that are made from a wide array of materials, most executives now cannot imagine a world where these pivotal fashion accessories for men do not exist. Many women cannot comprehend why neckties are so important to men but the fact remains that men treasure their necktie collections as it is a symbol of who they are and even professions are. It is part of their identity, and psychologists have even concluded as a result from numerous researches that neckties may even represent the male ego. Read the rest of this entry »
Much ado is often made in discussions surrounding men’s fashion about neckwear, blazers, dress shirts, and leather outerwear – often at the expense of understanding the rest of a gentleman’s wardrobe. Not only are well appointed and properly fitted pants and footwear extremely important to the overall look and image of any particular outfit – they are integral to your comfort throughout the day!
Considerations of Colour
Whether they be dress, casual, corduroy, denim, or any other fabric – pants are ultimately the most flexible and important part of any man’s professional wardrobe. Pants anchor the look entirely, setting the tone of the wardrobe conversation and immediately setting in motion the overall feel of any particular outfit. For example, corduroy pants imply comfort, a relaxed feel, maturity, and a sophistication not normally found in denim. Fine wool dress pants, on the other hand, send a signal of refinement, class, and high style.
Socks should, whenever possible, match the pants they will be worn with – the major exception being of course with denim, in which case they should either be navy (as worn with most blue jeans) or tan (as worn with brown shoes). Important to keep in mind when considering matching socks to pants is that they should preferably be within range of the shade of the pant fabric without being too much the same. For example, a nice chocolate coloured argyle print sock with blue accent colours might be an excellent match for a pair of tan or bark coloured casual pants coupled with a french blue sportshirt. Read the rest of this entry »
This Well Established Item of Men’s Clothing has Quite a History
The name is so well known in men’s clothing and the design so iconic that it’s sometimes difficult to believe that Fred Perry was ever a real person. But as Perry who was born just over 100 years ago, said: “I have never worried about admitting that my name is better known worldwide, not from winning Wimbledon three times, but because of Fred Perry shirts and sportswear.”
A working-class boy who fell foul of the tennis establishment but dominated the game at home and abroad during the twenties and thirties, Perry was approached to create his own branded sweat band in the late 1940s.
Father of the Polo Shirt – Fred Perry and His Legacy
This men’s clothing brand’s logo was originally going to be that emblem of sporting prowess, a pipe, before Perry settled on the laurel wreath that he wore on his touring blazer. His light but absorbent sweat band was such a huge success that it was followed by a T-shirt. This slim fit cotton piqué shirt has changed little since it was launched in 1952 although its image and cultural impact, even beyond fashion, have been quite simply enormous.
Today the Fred Perry is more popular than ever. “We’ve seen sales up 40 per cent on last year,” says Adrian Edwards, Head of Buying, Menswear at John Lewis in an interview with this journalist. “The great thing about it is that it’s smart but it can also be casual and it’s very versatile. Most men have at least two or three in their wardrobe at any one time. Men like to hang on to favourite clothes rather than shopping a lot and a Fred Perry is one of those things that actually looks better the more you wear and wash it.” Read the rest of this entry »
Designer Clothes and Vintage Style, the Best Fit, Colour
Whether one is considering purchasing an expensive designer suit along the lines of Canali, Armani, Boss, or Calvin Klein or simply cruising the local thrift or consignment shop for a trendy new look it becomes increasingly important to consider the style of closure that your garment will have – the most popular contemporary styles being the 3-button and 2-button suit.
Advantages of the 3-Button Suit
The three button suit is a a very classic look that bestows a more formal look upon the wearer – usually the case wherever buttons are concerned. The more buttons, typically, the more formal the garment. By this reasoning, 1-button suits that are very much in vogue currently are weighted heavily towards style rather than for convention.
The 3-button choice is a bit more conservative in nature and for this reason can be better suited for everyday wear in a business environment. Taller men might enjoy the higher closure of a suit of this particular make, providing a tighter fit around the chest and a typically straight silhoutte.
It can be difficult to find a fashionable and appropriate three button suit at a thrift store, or a consignment shop. The lack of variety and size range in particular styles can be limiting, as a three-button suit is possessed of a more difficult fit for most builds, the higher closure leading to a less accomodating chest measurement. This does not mean that a greal deal cannot be found, however.
Popular colours in three button suits tend to trend in more traditional colours, simple black or navy.
Advantages of the 2-Button Suit
The two button suit has been increasingly in popularity over the course of the last few years, and is now quite easily the more common of the two styles, especially amongst designer labels as the style is currently the tops when it comes to fashion.
The two button suit is an excellent choice for casual wear, lending itself perfectly to being worn with denim, whether that be designer jeans or even quality vintage jeans with a slight tint or wash. When paired with a fitted dress shirt, sport shirt, or even a well co-ordinated t-shirt or ringer, a two button blazer or suit jacket is the perfect item to pull a smart casual look together with impact and cohesiveness.
The two button suit can also be great for shorter men, especially in formal or semi-formal situations. The construction of a two button suit accents the shoulders, making them appear broader and straighter, while simulaneously lengthening the appearance of the torso – an aesthetic plus and extremely complimentary. This is not to say that taller gentlemen will not benefit from the above attributes as well, as they certainly might.
With regards to purchasing such garments secondhand, it is much easier to decide on a purchase – due in part to the logic applied earlier with regard to casual wear of two button blazers and suit jackets. An improvement in colour variety is also a great advantage when considering a two button suit, colours ranging from light gray to taupe to chocolate pinstripes are very popular and acceptable amongst this more liberal fashion style. Peak lapels really cement the fashion-forward image projected by a well fitting two button suit.
Whether a gentleman chooses a three button suit for wear at the office or a wedding or a two button blazer for wear with a sharp new pair of dress jeans, the importance of fit and construction can never be ignored.
Certain silhouettes and closures can make or break an outfit, so be sure to choose the style that best fits the figure, the outfit, and the context.
Suit anxiety should not be a problem for many first time suit buyers; young men going out to their high school prom or perhaps a college interview are always confronted with this somewhat daunting task.
In some instances, men later on in years who have never worn formal or business apparel may have to attend a wedding, funeral, or other function demanding of dress code may also find themselves in this set of circumstances.
Regardless of the situation, it is important to know what to expect from the experience – to look forward to it, more than anything!
Relax, and Be Sure to Bring the Personality
Buying a suit, optimally, is actually more like a service than a simple shopping occasion. Good wardrobe consultants and men’s fashion sales experts are a talkative, dynamic lot by nature and take a keen interest in discerning the needs of their client and presenting them with accurate, professional advice.
One should always be relaxed and open minded, be sure to engage in a dialogue with your salesman or saleswoman.
A well-trained wardrobe consultant should be able to offer suggestions and share knowledge on a variety of topics ranging from designer trends, accurate measurements, colour co-ordination, and general fabric care. Read the rest of this entry »