In working with my male clients, I have found that there are, generally-speaking, two camps: The Metrosexuals who put an emphasis on their appearance and overall lifestyle, and the Metro-whats?. In my opinion, this latter segment of freebie-tshirt wearing, urban-dwelling men are not clueless, but rather ignorantly complacent about fashion and anything else to do with style. I have been told time and time again, that while they would like to dress better, they just don't know how or where to start. Here are some basic guidelines and style inspirations for my boys:
Don't "do" Clown Shoes You know that anecdote about men and their shoes. Relax, it's not about size, but you really can tell a lot about a man based on what he wears on his feet. And men, do not under estimate the correlation that women make between a man's shoes and his personal success. Do yourself a favor and invest in a great pair or two of dress shoes (to wear with slacks) and a pair of casual weekend shoes.
Sloppy Suit You're already half way there with intent alone. It's always a good idea to sport a suit (unless you're not going to a job interview, a funeral, or work on wallstreet, or... you get the idea). When it is event-appropriate and done correctly, a suit can portray a visual image of authority and proficiency. The main concern with men's suits is the fit. While most men do not require additional tailoring to the rest of their wardrobe, a well worn suit should be tailored to fit your body. One of the biggest mistakes a man can make when wearing a suit, is to wear one that is too big for his frame. Consult with a professional seamstress or tailor to properly fit the width of your shoulders, sleeve length, and a more snug fit around the waist. And remember, modern versions of suit jackets are best paired with flat front slacks.
Ed Hardy and other Douche Uniforms Whether you subscribe to the standards of luxury brands and their superior quality, or you have blind faith in labels, do NOT wear them on your sleeve (or on overly obvious display... anywhere). Please be discreet with your labels just as you would with your portfolio.
CJO (Chief Jeans Officer)
In this new era of Casual Fridays or even our very own fashion-casual city of San Francisco, jeans are fast becoming the staple item in our wardrobes. Jeans can easily be dressed up for work with a tucked-in button-down shirt under a sports jacket, so they're not necessarily reserved for weekends only. There are a great variety of new premium denim on the market - whether you're a tried and true True Religion fan, looking for a little extra bump with Rock & Republic, like the simple designs of Joe Jeans, or prefer to rock it old school with Levi's, you must get the wash and fit just right. The darker the wash, the dressier the look. The looser the fit, the more casual the look. Keep your colors and proportions balanced by wearing complimentary colors (the opposite colors on the color wheel) and a slimmer fit than you might initially be comfortable with.