Friday Faux Pas: Miss Matched Tailoring

Precise tailoring is something to strive towards, but its also nice to have some looser clothing that you wear more casually (I don't fall in this category). But when you mix the two, you're bound to run into some serious fashion problems.

Imagine wearing skinny jeans and then having a loose fitting shirt...you're going to look like a female wearing a blouse. Oppositely, a fitted shirt with baggy pants makes you look like a wannabe rapper. Either way, its not a good look, and unfortunately, I have seen this more and more often.

You should either be wearing all tailored clothing or all loose clothing. It's not like mixing up fabrics or patterns amongst the layers of your outfit, that type of behavior is highly condoned. But with the fit of your clothes, you're trying to create a synthesized silhouette that makes sense and looks good. One of the upcoming trends this spring and summer are tunics and looser fitting coats, but while wearing other tailored items. To be honest, I don't agree with it and won't be featuring it on my blog because it just looks sloppy.
Don't be this guy...granted, he had to wear this on the runway.
Tailored or relaxed is your choice style wise, but don't try to create some ass-backwards fashion cocktail by mixing the two. Check in tomorrow for an up-and-coming fashion company and next Friday for more of my style pet peeves!

Thursday Threads: Wedding Time

This may be the time where most of you have either already been or are about to be invited to a friend or family member's wedding; it happened to me last weekend, it'll be coming your way soon enough. Going out on a limb, I would guess by now you either own a single suit or, of the many that you do own, have a go to that you feel great in.

Whatever that suit may be, just keep it simple. The peacock that should be attending this wedding is the bride; it is her day to shine, so don't wear anything that will take away from her. Most men (from experience) opt for black suits which is safe, but this isn't a funeral and unless its strict black tie, not a necessity. You also have to consider the location and the crowd that will be attending the ceremony, for instance, you wouldn't wear a three-piece suit to a beach wedding much like you wouldn't wear Tommy Bahama to a Nantucket occasion.

In any case, its definitely a lot to think about so here's my input on the situation:

  • Winter Wedding
    • Wool suit (preferably three-piece to layer up)
    • Wool tie
    • Darker tones. Heavier plaids.
  • Spring Wedding
    • Cotton suit
    • Linen tie
    • Pastels and florals abound. Stripes and solids.
  • Summer Wedding
    • Linen sport coat, cotton chinos
    • Chambray tie
    • Warmth in colors, not fabric. Solids.
  • Fall Wedding
    • Return of the wool suit
    • Plaid tie
    • Mix up the warm and cool tones. Pattern free-for-all, just don't clash.
With all of these, I highly recommend a dress loafer that goes along with each occasion and outfit. Yeah, lace-ups are nice, but you never know when those shoes are gonna have to come off...like at the end of the night when you're one too many drinks removed from effectively removing your shoes and keeping a bridesmaid on her feet.

Like I said before, keep in mind that this is the bride's day, don't fuck it up by stealing any of her spotlight. With that said, you still have to look good, so find that happy mix of subdued and outspoken for your outfit and you'll be safe.

Check in tomorrow for another one of my fashion faux pas and next Thursday for more situationally stylish threads.

Wardrobe Essentials: Sharkskin Grey Wins the Day

Most men aren't the type that go suit shopping often or are even in the market for one every two or three years. So if you were to pick a a single suit style (aka a wardrobe staple) what would it be? Many would opt for the black suit, a traditional go to but lacking in the creativity department (see my piece on black neck wear).

If Don Draper has one, so should you.
What you should be investing in is a grey sharkskin suit, still holding all the functionality of a black suit while saying "I know what I'm doing";this suit spans the wearability spectrum in every way. Want to wear it to work? Check! You can also rock it casually for a night out. Weddings, charity events, whatever the situation, this suit will deliver because grey is such a versatile neutral in your closet.

Same rule applies to James Bond.
To keep it timeless and relevant in your closet, the lapel should be narrow and notched with semi-modern tailoring. I only say semi-modern because toady's suits tend to have no break on the pants, practically showing the ankle, and the jackets are shorter, covering less of your ass and crotch. Opt for that harmonic medium of classic and modern and you'll have a suit that will prosper in your closet for years to come.

A few options:
Hickey Freeman: $1,495
Suit Supply: $469
Check in tomorrow for a situationally stylish get up and next Wednesday for more essential pieces!