The necktie is an essential component in a men’s suit. Whether you are attending a job interview, wedding, formal party or any other formal event, you’ll want to wear a suit and necktie. This otherwise simple outfit will enhance your appearance while boosting your confidence in the process. But with so many different neckties on the market, how do you know which one to choose?

The Length

One of the first things you should consider when choosing a necktie is the length. Once tied, it should reach the tip of your belt. If it’s shorter or longer than this length, it will look awkward and thus should be avoided. So, choose a necktie that reaches the tip of your belt, taking into account your height as well (e.g. taller men should choose taller and more narrow neckties).

The Color

Something else to consider when choosing a necktie is the color. If you’ve ever been shopping for neckties before, you probably know just how many different colors there are. From traditional black and navy to red, yellow, green and more, neckties are available in just about every color under the rainbow. A good rule of thumb is to choose a necktie in a color that’s darker than your shirt.

The Pattern

If you don’t want a solid-colored necktie, you can always opt for a pattern instead. Unfortunately, though, many men have a tendency to choose the wrong patterns for their neckties. If you intend to wear a striped dress shirt, stick with a similar striped pattern for your necktie. On the other hand, if you intend to wear a plaid dress shirt, stick with a plaid necktie — you get the idea. Mixing plaid and stripes together is a fashion faus-pax that should be avoided.

The Fabric

Last but not least, pay attention to the fabric from which the necktie was made. Much like suits are made in a wide variety of fabrics, so are neckties. Cotton neckties are a good all-around choice, as they are inexpensive, versatile, soft, comfortable and long-lasting. However, many men prefer the ultra-luxurious feeling of silk neckties. The only downside to silk neckties is their cost — and some men may have trouble keeping them clean (silk cannot be washed with water; must be dry-cleaned).

Some of the different ways to tie a necktie include the following:

• Four-in-hand knot
• Pratt knot
• Windsor knot
• Half-windsor knot
• Small knot
• Nicky knot
• Atlantic knot
• Prince Albert knot
• Christensen knot

References:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Necktie

It’s hard to argue that jeans the most versatile type of pants available on the market. Whether you are working, running errands, going to dinner, or just lounging around the house, you can’t go wrong with a pair of high-quality denim jeans. They offer an unmatched level of versatility, making them ideal for a wide range of different activities.

More than Just Blue…

While blue is the single most popular color for men’s jeans, you can find them available in dozens of other colors. This includes indigo (dark blue), light blue, black, white, gray, and even bold colors like red and yellow. So, which color jeans should you choose? It really depends on the circumstance as well as your personal preference. Darker colors like indigo offer a more formal appearance, whereas lighter colors are more casual. Just remember to avoid wearing jeans in the same color as your shirt, as this tends to create an awkward appearance in which your entire outfit looks like a single piece.

The Cut

When choosing a pair of jeans, consider the cut. Denim jeans are available in a variety of different cuts and styles, including boot-cut, slim-fit, straight-leg, relaxed-fit, and more. Boot-cut jeans are perfect for, well, wearing with boots. They feature a wider opening at the bottom, allowing you to place them over the tops of your boots. Straight-leg jeans, on the other hand, are straight through the thighs and legs, without the tapering found in other styles.

Quality

Don’t assume that all jeans are made equal. Some jeans are made with cheap denim, whereas others made with higher quality premium denim. If you want your jeans to last (and you should), stick with high-quality, name-brand denim. You can expect to pay more, but it’s a smart investment that will pay off in the long run.

Don’t Wash Your Jeans as Much

Most men have a tendency to wash their jeans each time after wearing them, but this may not be the best approach. Levi CEO Chip Burgh revealed in 2014 that he hadn’t washed his jeans in more than a year. Fashion designer and icon Tommy Hilfiger made a similar statement, saying that jeans should only be washed when they are visibly dirty. Of course, there’s a good reason for this: machine washing can wreck havoc on denim (and other fabrics), wearing it down while subsequently shortening the lifespan of the jeans.

References:

http://www.cnn.com/2014/05/22/living/dont-wash-jeans-levis-ceo/

 

Your choice of clothes says a lot about who you are. Aside from its impact on your physical appearance, clothes will affect other aspects of your personality, behavior, and the way in which others perceive you.

Professionalism

When you put forth the effort, and time, to dress nice, you’ll create a more professional look. This, of course, is essential for many jobs and occupations, as workers may be required to dress professional. On the other hand, if you wear jeans and an old t-shirt, you can expect the opposite to happen: you’ll look unprofessional. Regardless of your occupation, you should strive for a professional look.

Success

I guess you could say this goes hand-in-hand with professionalism. When you dress nice, others will view you as being more successful in life. You have to realize that most people judge based solely on looks, especially if they don’t personally know you. So if you are walking down the street wearing a stylish suit that’s properly fitted, others will assume you are successful — more so that if you wore sweatpants and a t-shirt.

Confidence

You might be surprised to learn that your choice of clothes can affect your level of self-confidence. Don’t believe me? Think back on the last time that you wore a suit and tie. Whether it was going to a job interview, participating in a wedding, etc. Now try to remember how you felt on this day. Most men will agree that wearing a suit makes them feel confident, which in turn affects their body language, demeanor, attitude, and other aspects of their behavior. The bottom line is that dressing nice can boost your self-confidence.

The Bottom Line…

This isn’t just a “theory,” either. According to a study of 300 men and women conducted by PsychologyToday, men who wore custom-tailored bespoke suits were rated as being more confident, successful and flexible than men who were non-tailored, off-the-rack suits.

So, how can you create a stylish outfit that embodies professional, success and confidence? First and foremost, you should choose clothes that are properly fitted for your body shape and size. No two men have the exact same body, which is why it’s a good idea to seek custom measurements from a local tailor. Once you’ve found your measurements, you can order clothes to fit. And if a garment is either too big or too small, have it adjusted.

Color coordination will also affect your appearance. Avoid wearing black and brown colors together, opting for a cohesive color palette in which all of the garments flow together.

 

In case you didn’t get the memo, the official start of spring was March 20. Along with the warmer weather, you can expect to see new fashion styles with this change of season. This makes spring the perfect opportunity for men to update their wardrobe so it reflects the latest styles. So, what are some of the popular fashion trends that you can expect to see more of this spring season?

Bomber Jackets

Originally designed for pilots during the World War I, bomber jackets are making a comeback this spring season. Long gone are the days of single-style leather bomber jackets. Today, you can find this classic form of outerwear available in dozens of different styles, colors and designs. Regardless of your personal preference, chances are there’s a bomber jacket to match.

Shorter Shorts

If you’ve been shopping at any of the major department stores, you may have a noticed a trend with men’s shorts: they becoming shorter. It’s not a huge difference in length, but it’s still noticeable nonetheless. The 2016 spring season will likely embrace this trend, resulting in more and more men’s “short shorts.” So whether you’re planning a spring vacation, or if you intend to hang around town, pick up a few pair of shorts to stay atop of this trend.

White Chinos

Tired of wearing the same khaki-colored chinos? Perhaps you should test the waters with white chinos. According to TrendSpotter.net, white chinos are coming back in style for spring and summer 2016. When paired with a clean, single-colored t-shirt, it offers a simple yet sophisticated look that’s ideal for this time of year.

Salmon Colors

Spring fashion isn’t just about new garments; it’s also about new colors, one of which is salmon. Salmon — a variety of pink — has been picking up mainstream popularity in the world of fashion, and for good reason: it’s a bright, energetic color that reflects the spring season.

Pique Cotton Polo Shirts

Granted, pique cotton polo shirts aren’t new by any means, but they’ve become a staple garment in men’s attire — a trend that will likely become even more prominent throughout the spring and summer months. Pique cotton polos differ from traditional polo shirts in the sense that they are constructed with a unique weaving style. Often made with cotton yarn, they feature raised parallel cords and/or fine ribbing to create a textured, yet lightweight garment that’s perfect for the warm weather.

References:

http://www.fashionbeans.com/category/mens-fashion-trends/

http://www.thetrendspotter.net/2015/07/top-5-menswear-springsummer-2016-trends-to-try-now

Wearing the Wrong Colored Socks

Contrary to what some men may believe, socks are available in more colors than just white. When wearing a suit, it’s recommended that you choose socks in the same or similar color as your trousers. If you’re going to wear black trousers, for instance, stick with black socks. This creates a more uniform appearance while concealing your socks in the process.

Wearing Pleather

Pleather, also known as a faux leather, is a synthetic material that’s made to look and feel like leather. The only real benefit that it offers is the price. When compared to genuine leather, pleather jackets and garments tend to cost a fraction of the price. But this is one instance in which the mantra “you get what you pay for” holds true. If you’re looking for a new leather jacket or garment, stick with the real deal and avoid pleather.

Fastening All Jacket Buttons

Whether it’s a sport coat, jacket, blazer or any form of outerwear, you should leave the bottom button unfastened. Some men make the mistake of fastening all of their jacket buttons, creating an awkward appearance. By leaving the bottom-most button unfastened, however, you’ll create a cleaner and more appearance that compliments the rest of your attire.

Trousers Hiding Shoelaces

You can tell when your trousers are too long by looking at your shoelaces. If your trousers conceal your shoelaces, they are too big and need to be tailored. Wearing oversized trousers will create a messy, unflattering appearance, so it’s best to check your shoelaces before walking out the door.

Not Color-Coordinating Belt and Shoes

I think we’ve all been guilty of making this fashion mistake at some point in time: you grab the first belt you come across in your closet, without considering whether or not it matches your shoes. A brown belt with black shoes, for instance, creates a mismatching appearance, simply because brown and black clash. A better option is to wear a brown belt with brown shoes — or if you plan on wearing black shoes, wear a black belt.

Wearing Socks with Sandals

Being that spring is right around the corner, we have to mention the whole socks-with-sandals faux pas. There’s nothing wrong with wearing sandals, or socks for that matter, but the two shouldn’t be worn together. If you’re going to wear sandals, free your feet by not wearing socks.

References:

http://www.esquire.co.uk/style/fashion/news/a5024/worst-style-mistakes/?fb_comment_id=246607968822288_10166453/20/