Dressing Rules for Men

  • General Rule of thumb with ties:  Big with small, small with big and medium with medium.  Let’s explain:  If you have a very graphic tie with a large pattern/design, you need to pair that with a small-patterned shirt (or even a solid color).  If you have a very graphic shirt, you need to pair that with a solid or subtly-patterned tie.  And, if you have a medium-sized pattern for shirt and tie, they will match perfectly.
  • Since the tie is the easiest way to show character and personality in dress, don’t be afraid of bold colors or graphic prints.
  • Socks of dark colors should be preferably worn because whites look too stark.
  • Pinstriped, dark-colored pants will make you look taller and thinner. To flaunt a broader upper body team them with a light colored shirt.

  • When buying straight-leg pants, buy them a size larger than usual so they hang on your hips.
  • Don’t ever wear head-to-toe labels.
  • When pairing pinstripes – pinstripe suits can be paired with pinstripe shirts, you just have to pair a different stripe (black and white pinstripe suit matched with blue and white pinstripe shirt).
  • When buying a button-down shirt, you can tell if it’s the right length by measuring it against your suit sleeve.  The shirt cuff should protrude about 3 quarters of an inch from the jacket sleeve.
  • Rules for undershirts – Never wear a tank top under a linen shirt – it’s too obvious.  Never wear a crew neck undershirt with a button down if you plan on unbuttoning it at all – in that case, wear a v-neck undershirt.  Never wear a dark undershirt or shirt with lettering with a light-colored shirt – it will show through.
  • Sandals — only Hercules could get away with this.  Flip flops are acceptable for summer.
  • Only wear shorts if your legs are tanned – and please throw away the “jorts” (aka, jean shorts)
  • According to fashion stylist Robert Verdi, only Ralph Lauren models can get away with black belts and black loafers in the summer. Get yourself a pair of saddle shoes or white bucks.
  • Ties should go with but not be of the same fabric of a pocket square/handkerchief.