Dressing for Any Occasion
April 28, 2010
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Posted in Men's Fashion, Women's Fashion
Being well-dressed goes beyond purchasing fine clothing. Choosing the appropriate attire for events or business meetings is just as essential as having quality clothing to wear. On occasions when you’re unsure of the dress code, such as traveling to a different city or attending a new event, a few basic principles will ensure your ability to feel at ease.
When in doubt, simplicity is better. Conservative colors such as navy, gray, or black can be dressed up or down more easily than brighter tones. At most events, erring slightly on the side of dressiness is preferable to appearing too casual. Keep to classic choices on accoutrements, as excess items create a feeling of busyness rather than sophistication.
A great sport jacket and trousers can be paired with either a good sport shirt or a dress shirt and tie. High-quality shoes offer a similar level of flexibility. Completing your look with a pair of classic shoes with a coordinating belt allows you to create a wide range of ensembles-from nice jeans to great trousers to your favorite custom suit.
With care and forethought, the worry of assembling an appropriate ensemble can be eliminated, leaving you comfortable in any environment.
Can I wear a striped tie with a striped shirt? What about with a striped suit?
While some would say, “Enough already with the stripes,” if you’re the adventurous type you could pull off a look that works if you follow some simple guidelines. First, when it comes to lining up the stripes, a little goes a long way. Next, keep the color palettes in the same family. Finally, watch the size and scale of the pattern, being certain to vary the scale, like wide with narrow. Wear a wide stripe tie with a narrow-spaced striped shirt or a narrow-spaced striped shirt with wider spaced striped suits. You have to feel comfortable with what you’re wearing, of course, so if stripes-on-stripes isn’t your thing, stick to convention. Dressing well should be a fun form of creative self-expression, so break old habits and be a little brave when it comes to mixing it up.
The Great Circle
The maxim, “You only have one chance to make a positive first impression”, is undoubtedly familiar to those who appreciate and have chosen to wear custom tailored clothes. You understand that you have only 4-5 seconds in which to make that critical first impression.
Focus your attention on what is known as the great circle. It is the area that encompasses your shoulder, face, shirt collar, jacket lapel, necktie and breast pocket on your suit or sport jacket. The visual impact made by keeping harmony among the elements in your great circle cannot be over emphasized. The right tie, the correct shirt collar and color, and the proper balance of scale and proportion in one’s accessories can make all the difference in the world. Take care to see that people’s first impression of you is a positive and lasting one. Today, no one can afford to make an impression that is anything less than the best.
