If you play golf, then no doubt you already know the importance of quality golf clothes. Historically, a major requirement of golf apparel seemed to be that it be staid and boring! However these days, golf apparel is moving more and more in a stylish direction that welcomes personal expression. But whatever your taste in fashion, your main goal in buying golfing clothing should be to make sure you are as comfortable as possible when you play.
Men’s golf clothing usually consist of a golf shirt and trousers. The days of plaid and checkered patterns have faded into the past, and modern men’s golf shirts are fashionable enough to be worn off the course, whether as casual wear or even at the office. Modern golf shirts are also products of intensive research, and are now made with highly durable materials that offer excellent performance in all conditions. Read the rest of this entry »
Selecting the Best Style and Fit of Clothes for the Office
Along with the suit and tie, the dress shirt is the main article of clothing that creates the proper look for a businessman. Dress shirts vary by style, size, fit and features.
Choosing a Dress Shirt Style
Under almost all circumstances, a dress shirt for business that is worn with a tie should have long sleeves. In some offices, or outdoor work sites, short sleeves may be appropriate. Look at the example set by your supervisor and respected colleagues. If these people wear short sleeves, then it may be okay in that situation…
When dressing to impress, do not follow the standard of the office non-conformist. Sleeves can always be rolled up if necessary.
Collars come in different styles, usually a normal pointed collar and a spread collar. Spread collars are newer and show a contemporary fashion. The spread accents the tie, and therefore look better with a wider tie. Some shirts have different color collars than the shirt which appears bolder.
Long sleeves are closed by straight cuffs with buttons, and French cuffs that require cufflinks. French cuffs add more flair to the look, but may be too fashionable for a more conservative setting. Read the rest of this entry »
In the worlds of business, finance, marketing, sales and any other monied profession dealing with people and profits – sartorial style cues are sure to influence even the most staid and conservative of men who work in these industries. In order to avoid the trap of conservatism when it comes to business fashion choices, one’s selections should be bold, bright, and powerful – imparting a sense of confidence, knowledge, and an assertive presence.
The Power Tie – Designer Neckwear from Brioni, Ermenegildo Zegna, Paul Smith
When it comes to assembling a power outfit, the necktie is surely the most important item in the wardrobe. The tie is literally the showpiece of the entire power suit, it is the most naturally attractive item on the menu and must literally pop – meaning that bold prints and bright, attractive colours are necessary when choosing a piece of neckwear to compliment the power outfit in the business fashion sense.
Brioni is a leader in men’s fashion, and is regarded very well worldwide for their handmade, beautifully inspired ties. Traditionally speaking, a Brioni tie will knot exceptionally well, is made entirely of high quality silk, and is a bit thicker than your average storebought necktie.
Brioni ties are typically very bold in patterning – this season’s offerings being found in such high fashion outlets as Neiman Marcus, Harry Rosen and others seeming to intimate that Brioni is offering a variety of large print paisley’s this season, ranging in colour from beautiful purples and lavenders onward to attention grabbing reds and crimson.
Ermenegildo Zegna is another top name in designer neckwear; Zegna is very well known for producing excellent striped ties that work very well as power ties due to their great versatility and ease of co-ordination with common shirt patterns. Most Zegna neckties offered at the designer level contain a variety of complimentary colours, whether they be offered in polka dots or even a fine cross-hatch.
Finally, Paul Smith is an excellent choice for men who love floral patterns – this season being expecially strong for these organic contenders. Paul Smith offers beautiful patterning in extremely large, oversized prints that will be sure to attract the right kind of attention; this label is certainly not afraid to experiment when it comes to aesthetics and retains a near avant-garde / high fashion flair sometimes lost in translation to commercial fashion. 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.
Browsing through the aisles or displays at popular department stores will yield interesting results with regards to popular consumer menswear – an increasing amount of attention being paid to fit and cut, with an emphasis on providing variety to intrepid gentlemen seeking a shirt that fits like a glove.
Athletic Fit, Aggressively Fitted Dress Shirts for Slim Men
Athletic fit dress shirts have been popular for some time, typically marketed as “slim-fit” shirts for men who were looking for aggressively tapered dress shirts for wear to a bar or nightclub, or simply as a more professional alternative to the classic cut for men with slimmer or smaller builds.
Athletic fit shirts are becoming much more commonplace in consumer brands or retail locations such as Le Chateau or Banana Republic, having always been commonplace in designer brands such as Calvin Klein, Hugo Boss, Etro, or Geoffrey Beene.
The benefit of an athletic fit dress shirt is an appeal to modern sensibilities, a cosmopolitan, urban edge that will most certainly factor into the final look of your ensemble.
Modern Fit, a Moderate Taper, Semi-Fitted Dress Shirt
Modern fit is a relatively new entrant in the menswear circuit, although shirts that would commonly now be described as “modern fit” have existed in some incarnation or another for decades, simple alternatives to the more traditional, accommodating classic fit.
Modern fit describes a moderately tapered dress shirt, otherwise known as a semi-fitted shirt. This particular cut looks great on men of average build as well as leaning either way from that starting point – the somewhat slim and the somewhat heavy. Read the rest of this entry »