Whether your job requires you to wear one or not, every man should own a suit. It’s a staple outfit that’s ideal for formal and semi-formal occasions alike. From business interviews and meetings, to weddings and parties, suits are perfect for a variety of different occasions. But with so many different types and styles, how do you know which to choose?

Tuxedo vs Suit

It’s a common assumption that tuxedos and suits are the same. While they look similar, there are a few key differences between the two. Among the most notable differences is the presence of satin lapels on the tuxedo jacket and trousers. It adds an element of shine, making the tuxedo stand out. Tuxedos are also typically worn with a bowtie, whereas traditional suits are worn with a necktie.

Material

You’ll want to consider the material from which the suit is made. Suits are available in a wide variety of different materials, ranging from cotton and linen to tweed, wool even corduroy. So, which material works best in men’s suits? It really depends on when and how you intend to wear it. Lighter fabrics like cotton and linen are ideal for the hot summer months, whereas thicker fabrics like wool and corduroy are best suited for the winter months.

Different suit fabrics also have different care/maintenance requirements. Check the care label on the suit to determine what’s needed to clean and maintain it.

Off the Rack, Made to Measure and Bespoke

Men’s suits are typically made using one of the following techniques: off the rack, made to measure, and bespoke. Off-the-rack suits are the cheapest, featuring no customization options. Made-to-measure suits are customized according to the customer’s measurements. The highest-quality option, however, is bespoke. With bespoke suits, the retailer or tailor takes your measurements, using these measurements to create a custom-fitted suit from scratch. Keep in mind that bespoke suits also cost more than their off the rack and made to measure counterparts.

Watch the Shoulders

Arguably, one of the most important things to consider when choosing a men’s suit is the shoulder fit. When trying on a new suit, pay close attention to how it fits in your shoulders. If the shoulders look “puffy,” it’s a tall-tale sign of the suit being too big, in which case you should either choose a smaller suit or have the current one adjusted. Also, keep in mind that shoulder seams should stop before your shoulders.

References:

http://www.today.com/id/18427346/ns/today-today_style/t/tips-choosing-great-mens-suit/#.V3UYdKKYITo

https://www.entrepreneur.com/slideshow/249335

Can’t seem to keep your dress shirt tucked in? Well, it’s not just you — this a problem faced by many men. Some dress shirts have a tendency to rise, coming untucked throughout the day. While not a serious problem, it’s still something that most men want to avoid. So, what can you do to prevent your dress shirt from coming untucked?

It’s important to note that dress shirts often come untucked when a belt is not worn with the pants. If your pants are just 1 size too big, it may provide just enough room for your shirt to wiggle its way out of your waistline. This is why it’s always a good idea to wear a belt with a tucked-in dress shirt.

Another reason why some dress shirts come untucked is because of the material. Dress shirts are made in a wide range of materials and fabrics, including cotton, linen, silk, polyester and various blends. Some of the lighter materials, such as linen for instance, are more likely to come untucked. This is particularly true for men who stay physically active through the day. The more active you are, the greater the chance of your dress shirt coming untucked.

A third reason for this phenomenon is a mismatch between the man’s body shape and size, and the dress shirt. Designers make dress shirts for the “average” consumer. But the problem is that no two men have the exact same body; therefore, some dress shirts will fit better than others. If you happen to choose a poorly fitted dress, the excess fabric may create space between your body and pants around the waistline, which subsequently allows your shirt to wiggle its way out.

Not that you know some of the reasons why dress shirts come untucked, you might be wondering how to prevent it. For starters, make sure your dress shirt is tucked properly into your pants. Don’t just pull it down through your waistline and into your pants. Rather, use the Military Tuck to properly secure your dress shirt. The Military Tuck takes a few extra steps, but it’s superior when compared to other, traditional shirt-tucking methods.

If you believe your dress shirt is coming untucked because it doesn’t fit right, perhaps you should have it tailored. Basic tailoring services typically run just $10 to $20 bucks, which is a small price to pay for the peace of mind knowing that your shirt will stay securely in your pant’s waistline.

References:

https://www.quora.com/How-do-you-prevent-a-dress-shirt-from-coming-untucked

The summer season is officially here. Whether you’re planning to take a beach vacation or stay around town this summer, though, you should update to your wardrobe this reflect this seasonal change. Here are some must-have garments and accessories that every man should include in his summer wardrobe.

Boat Shoes

They’ve been trending for several years now, and there’s no sign of this trend slowing down anytime soon. On the contrary, boat shoes remain one of the most popular styles of footwear for men. They are clean, comfortable, stylish and perfect for the warm summer weather. It’s not a bad idea to include several different colors of boat shoes in your wardrobe, as this offers greater versatility regarding your choice of outfit.

Polo Shirt

When you want to achieve a slightly dressier appearance, grab a polo shirt. Polo shirts are ideal for summer wear and can be worn with either shorts or long pants. Whether it’s a solid color or striped, you can’t go wrong with a good polo. Just remember to keep the color crisp; otherwise, it will look unflattering when worn. We’ve talked about this before on our blog, but you can prevent your shirt collars from curling by hanging them up immediately after washing and drying — and flipping the collar upright.

White Sneakers

In addition to boat shoes, you should also include a pair of white sneakers in your summer wardrobe. White sneakers are a classic choice of footwear that can be worn for a variety of different occasions. And being that they are white, they’ll keep your feet cooler and more comfortable than darker-colored shoes. Just remember to keep your white sneakers clean. If you’re planning to mow the lawn or perform other dirty work, wear an old pair of sneakers.

Flip-Flops

Some men turn their heads at the thought of wearing flip-flops, believing they are tacky. Granted, some flip-flops certainly fall under the category of being tacky, but others are the exact opposite. A pair of genuine brown-leather flip-flops, for instance, is a great choice of footwear for the summer.

Tailored Shorts

Of course, the summer season is the perfect time to wear tailored shorts. Skip the long, baggy shorts and instead choose some that stop just shy of the knees. These shorter shorts offer a higher level of aesthetics and style than traditional, long shorts. Besides, you’ll appreciate the warmth of having the sun beam down on your legs.

References:

http://www.mensfitness.com/styleandgrooming/fashion/10-wardrobe-essentials-for-every-man

http://shop.nordstrom.com/c/mens-essentials

Cufflinks are one of the most popular suit accessories worn by men. Although small in size, they play an important role in creating a clean, formal look. However, many men overlook this accessory, assuming cufflinks are nothing more than decorative items that offer no real function. So, what exactly are cufflinks and do you really need them when wearing a formal suit?

Cufflinks: the Basics

Cufflinks live up to their namesake by securing, or linking, the cuffs of a dress shirt. They’ve been around for over a century and remain a popular suit accessory to this day.

The mechanics behind cufflinks are quite simple: the cufflink is placed through the shirt’s cuff at the wrist, at which point it’s secured via some type of lock. Simply place your dress shirt on, and then stick the bottom of the cufflink through the shirt’s cuff and secure it. Your shirt’s wrist will now stay together.

What are They Made of?

Cufflinks are made using a wide variety of materials, including stone, stainless steel, gold, silver, gemstones, glass, stone, leather and more. Some men even make their own cufflinks out of various materials. Because their design is so simple, creating cufflinks is actually easier than it may sound.

Do I Really Need Cufflinks?

Well, it depends on the type of dress shirt you intend to wear. As you may already know, some men’s dress shirts have buttons to secure the wrist cuffs. If your shirt has buttons in the wrists, then you don’t need to wear cufflinks. Fastening the button of your wrist cuffs servers the same purpose as cufflinks, eliminating the need for this accessory. On the other hand, however, if your shirt does not have buttons in the wrists, you’ll need cufflinks to secure it. But with so many different styles, how do you know which one to choose?

Choosing the Right Cufflinks

Although there are thousands of different types of cufflinks available for sale, most can be broken down into a few basic categories:

• Whale back — feature a flat head with whale tails that flip against the post.
• Bullet back — features a hollow post and cylindrical back.
• Stud — small, lightweight and basic in design.
• Chain link — the most common type of cufflink, the chain link features two large ends separated by a thin chain or narrow material.
• Locking — the locking cufflink is unique in the sense that can be folded, locking it into the cuff of your shirt.

References:

http://www.realmenrealstyle.com/ultimate-guide-cufflinks/

Business casual offers the perfect blend for casual and formal elements, all in a single cohesive look. Many companies are now embracing this dress code, encouraging employees to follow it. But how exactly do you achieve a business casual look?

Chinos

There are several different pants that are suitable for use with business casual attire, although one of the most popular is the chino. Not to be confused with traditional khakis, chinos are made of a lighter, softer type of cotton, making them ideal for the warm summer weather. It’s generally best to avoid wearing formal suit trousers for business casual and instead stick with chinos.

If chinos aren’t your style, you can always wear jeans instead — yes, jeans are suitable for use with business casual. The trick to successfully pulling off jeans with this look is to choose the right color and fit. A pair of indigo-colored straight-leg jeans are an excellent choice. The darker color is more formal, while straight-leg eliminates excess fabric that could otherwise hurt your appearance.

Watch the Shoes

Your shoes will also affect whether or not you achieve a genuine business casual look. Formal shoes like oxfords should be avoided. For business casual, err on the side of caution by wearing casual or semi-casual shoes. Assuming they are clean and match the rest of your outfit, you can even wear sneakers with this look. One of the great things about business casual is the sheer freedom it offers to choose the clothes that YOU want to wear.

Layer it Up

Business casual offers the perfect opportunity to create a layered look. For instance, you can wear an undershirt over a button-up dress shirt, and then layer a leather jacket on top. Creating layers is a fun way to break up your appearance.

Accessorize

Accessories can make or break a business casual outfit. According to an article published by MensHealth, a simple accessory that greatly enhance a business casual look is a wristwatch. So, consider wearing a wristwatch with either a metal or leather wristband, depending on your choice of clothes (e.g. if you are wearing brown leather shoes, wear a wristwatch with a similar brown leather band).

Color Matters

Don’t underestimate the importance of color coordinating when creating a business casual look. Certain colors, such as all-black and black with pinstripes, look overly formal. This isn’t necessary bad, but it doesn’t align with the delicate formal-casual balance associated with this style.

References:

http://www.menshealth.com/style/make-a-better-impression-with-business-casual

https://gentlemansbox.com/mens-business-casual/