The season’s fresh colors still retain the mix-and-match appeal that makes a blue blazer a wardrobe staple for the well-dressed gentleman. Blue will coordinate easily with almost any trouser color, from cream to brown and from khaki to gray. The neutral blazer also allows a myriad of shoe color options. Consider rich browns and deep burgundies for your leather shoes to add warmth to your ensemble.

You can take advantage of the blazer’s ability to support almost any colors by pairing it with a variety of stylish combinations of high-quality shirts and ties. Whether you prefer the strength of a power tie, relaxed earthy shades, or a lighthearted set of colors for your ties, your trusted blue blazer helps put the look together.

Dashing when paired with light colors, or understated when coordinated with dark ones: the perennial favorite blue blazer is an updated choice this fall.

Traditionally, vests are made of the same fabric as a jacket or trousers. They can also draw on contrasting colors, or simply use a base color from the jacket or trousers. When creating combinations, keep fabric choices (tweed, silk, cotton, wool) similar enough to avoid an awkward pairing.

• Dress for the venue—A downtown hotspot requires a little more glam than video night at your best friend’s place.
• Avoid baggy or too-tight items—Your clothing should fit well, and offer just enough room to move comfortably.
• Choose dark blue jeans (not light or black)—Avoid extraneous embellishment or faded areas.
• Step it up from tees—A well-tailored shirt shows off your unique style.
• Shoes still matter—Scuffed, faded shoes take away from any look.
• Limit your ensemble to two or three colors—Any more than that looks garish.
• When in doubt, go black and white—Nothing beats that timeless contrast.

When your business clothing is supplemented with stylish mix-and-match casual wear, you can dress elegantly for any occasion.

Here’s what I shared with them: Choosing a shirt is not as simple as picking your favorite color; colors communicate different things to those around you. Let’s start with the basics. Crisp, clean white shirts convey the most power and authority. Blue shirts come next, and work well with almost any suit color. Other solid colors are appropriate for all but the most formal occasions, while stripes and checks work well in most day-to-day situations. “Warm” colors such as red or yellow are more casual than “cool” colors.

Whenever possible, view potential clothing purchases in natural light, usually through a window. The fluorescent lighting in most offices can distort a fabric’s true color.

Gather shirt swatches in several shades of the same color. Hold them up under your chin while you look at yourself in a mirror. When a shirt makes you look either worn out or discolored, set that item aside. If you’re not sure how a color makes your skin look, listen to your instinct about whether you like or dislike the color. We tend to like tones that look good on us.

When you find several selections that make your skin look healthy and robust, group them together. Once you’ve tested several color families, you’ll find that most of your chosen fabrics, whether light or dark tones, fall into one of four seasonal “families.”

Spring colors are fresh and fun with tones like pale blue, light green, and yellow.Summer colors are brighter and more whimsical with hues in warm reds, steel blue, and medium greens or purples. Autumn runs to golden browns, brick red, and olive green.Winter contains rich, saturated shades like burgundy, navy, and dark green.

Once you’ve discovered your best colors, build a wardrobe around what looks great on you—and makes you look great while wearing it.

When choosing a checked shirt, the choice of tie pattern can be critical. The tie’s print, whether solid, striped, or patterned, should complement the shirt print by offering a visual change of pace. Pairing similar patterns, whether both are large or both small, in tie and shirt can create a feeling of heaviness. Instead, try out combinations with alternating patterns. Tightly-checked shirts require a larger tie pattern, while large checks can support a small, busier print.

Colors can be similarly brought into balance. Rather than limiting your choices to single shades of colors, harmonize the tones. The “seasonal” color scheme may help you decide if a certain red or blue is compatible with your shirt and suit tones, as fall or summer colors naturally complement each other.

A bold shirt, paired with a strong tie, may offer too much visual competition. Rather than pairing warring elements, balance a prominent item with a less pronounced one to allow one piece to create the eye’s focal point.

When choosing ties, try pairing several of them with the shirt, moving them into and out of place quickly to see how your eye reacts. After considering several options, you’ll likely get a feel for which options create a pleasing combination.

Keeping in mind principles of scale, color, and balance can help check shirts become a valuable source of variety in your wardrobe.

Here’s what I shared with them: Socks, when visible, act as an extension of the trouser leg. Choose socks in a shade that blends well with your suit fabric.

Matching suit to sock eliminates calling attention to the ankle in those moments when the trousers’ movement reveals the sock, such as when sitting or walking briskly. Trousers should be cut long enough to cover socks at all other times.