Any Occasion Tag

The Secret Power of Cufflinks

Many people save their cufflinks for only formal occasions, but if you do that, you’re missing an opportunity to put them to work for you in a variety of situations. Cufflinks are a “hidden” tool you can use to send the right message to those around you. Cufflinks, whether subtle or stand-out, give visual emphasis to every handshake. Whenever you’re looking to make a great impression—at a sales presentation, team meeting, or dinner party—wear cufflinks. These small accessories immediately bring a sense of power and elegance to your ensemble with minimum effort. The wise wear cufflinks to demonstrates mastery over all the elements of their ensemble....

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All About Stripes

Stripes can be a great way to bring interest into an outfit—as long as the stripes are chosen with care. To incorporate stripes into an ensemble that that works for you, consider the following points: Vertical for business. Rugby and polo shirts often use horizontal stripes, but in business clothing, vertical stripes are more appropriate. Thin is in. While not all stripes need be pinstripe width, choosing thin stripes over thick, blocky stripes will generally look more refined. Variation works. Your stripes need not be uniform in either color or width. A shirt or tie with a variety of multi-width and multi-colored stripes can be quite pleasing to the eye. Combinations matter. If you’re creating an attention-drawing outfit, colors that sit opposite each other on a color wheel are highly effective. If you’re crafting an elegant business ensemble, your colors should be closer to each other on the wheel. Subtlety in a pin. Your pinstriped...

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Dress Code — or Dress Principles?

Today’s companies are turning away from the lax dress habits of the last two decades. Instead of relying on a specific "dress code", many professionals are able to choose their own attire. That can create a dilemma for some, as they wonder how to dress appropriately when there are few (or no) guidelines. What do terms like “casual Friday” mean? What is too casual? What is too formal? We suggest you dress for the activity or event at hand rather than the day of the week. Casual clothing, such as tee shirts and jeans, are best for personal time. Dressy clothing, such as your suits and other custom professional clothing, should be used when conducting important business. Your dress choices show others how you feel about your work. Take pride in both. Save extremely casual clothing for free time—your business accomplishments and capabilities deserve respect, and a tee shirt cannot communicate that. If...

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Be the Best-Dressed Person in Any Room

Dressing well is less a matter of “making a statement” than it is creating elegance through simplicity. A few key points will help you on your way to sartorial success. The detailing on your clothing matters, as it shows your careful attention to the essentials. Your custom attire allows you to choose details that work perfectly with your physique, your personality, your profession, and your sense of style—and, because they’re tailored just for you, your clothes will always offer you an impeccable fit. Today’s clothing strategy seems to be to dress as casually as the occasion will allow—but that’s never a recipe for being well-dressed. Instead, the best-dressed select an outfit that is slightly dressier than the occasion requires. Each interaction with peers is an opportunity to create a favorable impression. That’s easier to accomplish when you have the confidence that custom-tailored clothing naturally inspires. To avoid spending unnecessary time in your closet...

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How to Tie a Bow Tie

More gentlemen are finding a bow tie to be a perfect accessory in a variety of occasions. They’re not just for college professors anymore—bow ties are a fantastic option for anyone looking to add a distinctive flair to his wardrobe. There’s a practical side to wearing a bow tie. They never find their way into your dinner or twist themselves around—and they’re easier to tie than you may think. Here’s how to tie a bow tie without losing your cool: Place your tie around your neck, with one end slightly longer than the other. Cross the longer end over the shorter one, then bring that same longer end under the shorter and up, next to your neck. Pull the ends until the knot is comfortably snug. Fold the shorter end in half sideways, so that it looks like a bow and is thinnest in the middle. Bring the end with the fold across to...

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Shoe Sole Material: Rubber vs. Leather

I received this question from a reader:When I’m shopping for shoes, are rubber or leather soles better? This is what I shared with them: Both leather and rubber soles have their advantages. Many gentlemen prefer the classic visual appeal of leather soles. This traditional choice offers an elegance unmatched by man-made materials. However, rubber soles are usually longer lasting, especially when worn in humid or rainy climates. When deciding which type of shoe sole material best meets your needs, you may find that neither is the clear winner. Instead, you may choose to own a pair or two of each, giving you options for different occasions and environments. Wear the leather soles in dressier occasions, and the rubber soles when you’ll be spending a larger portion of your time outside or traveling....

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Shoes That Shine: Dress Shoes

There’s more to choosing a pair of dress shoes than making sure their color works for your outfit. Each type of shoe has its own level of dressiness, and will work best within a range of outfits. From casual to dressy, here are a few classic choices: Loafers: Shoes without laces are part of the broad category of loafers (such as penny loafers and moccasins). Less dressy than their laced-up counterparts, loafers can be worn easily with business-casual outfits, lightweight summer suits, and dressier casualwear. Bluchers (open lacing): If the top of the shoe and the tongue are crafted from one piece of leather, a portion of the tongue shows from beneath the laces, giving it an open look (such as wingtips and Derbies). Bluchers are frequently more detailed than both loafers and balmorals. Wear with suits, slacks, and dressier jeans. Balmorals (closed lacing): When the lacing pulls the shoe shut over the tongue...

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The Versatile Vest

Vests can be excellent mix-and-match wardrobe pieces. Rather than limiting their use to the three-piece suit, use versatile vests as coordinating pieces for sport coats and trousers. Consider having vests personalized to your taste—lapels, pockets, fabric, and fit can all be custom-crafted to create timeless pieces that will give you extra options with your existing shirts, trousers, and coats. 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....

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After-Hours: Casual Wear Style

Looking your best doesn’t end with Friday rush-hour traffic. Even when you’re not working, your clothing choices reflect the same sense of personal style and confidence that makes your business attire remarkable. Whether you’re enjoying a dinner party or a night out with the guys, your casual wear wardrobe sets the tone. 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,...

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Style for All Seasons

Fashion fads come and go. Lapels and collars may widen or narrow, fabrics may trend toward light or dark, and trouser hemlines can change course over time. Rather than chase after short-lived concepts, the savvy businessman customizes his suits for his build, sense of personal style, and business habits. This allows his wardrobe to weather the seasonal swings of fashion, and remain in style. Any particular tailoring decision, no matter how popular, may not be the most flattering to one’s frame. When choosing your suit’s silhouette, we can help you choose a timeless, classic look which will last for years, maximizing your wardrobe investment. Consider your personal sense of style when fitting a suit: double-breasted suits are generally dressier than their single-breasted counterparts. Coats without a vent are sleeker. Fabric selection should follow your wearing needs. If you travel frequently in your suits, be sure to select heavy-wearing fabrics. A suit for occasional...

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