| Patterns | | | | you, get help from a woman. None of the |
| Skip the worn-out, tone-on-tone look | | | | fashion tips that follow will mean |
| when putting on a suit and tie. Try | | | | anything if you wear mismatched colors. |
| mixing your patterns by accenting your | | | | Brighter and edgier colors and color |
| suit with a striped shirt and solid tie. | | | | combinations can work for you, even at |
| And as you may well know, lighter colors | | | | work if your company is not too |
| and patterns usually hide flakes better | | | | conservative. Primary bright colors can |
| than dark solids. | | | | be mixed and matched and will stay in |
| Blended, natural fabrics that breathe | | | | style for some time. |
| can keep irritation to a minimum by | | | | Don't underestimate the versatility of |
| reducing chafing. It's also a good idea | | | | black and white. Mixing black and white |
| to wear a cotton tee shirt under your | | | | garments gives you a stunning variety of |
| dress shirt or sweater or ves to keep | | | | coordination choices. You can put more |
| moisture away from your skin. | | | | different colors with these two basic |
| Hint: To make two different patterns | | | | ones than with any other colors. |
| work well together, make sure they're | | | | You can also go monochrome, but take |
| the same size (for example, big plaids | | | | care that the shades match. If you go |
| with big stripes, small plaids with | | | | monochrome, pick a tie that is in a |
| small stripes.) But if you're wearing | | | | contrasting color to make your outfit |
| two striped items, make sure the stripes | | | | pop. |
| are varied in size (some thick, some | | | | Shirts and Ties |
| thicker). | | | | There is no such thing as a short-sleeve |
| Here's a fashion cheat sheet: | | | | dress shirt. |
| Bigger, bolder patterns make you look | | | | A white dress shirt with a dark suit is |
| bigger. | | | | always safe for semiformal evening wear. |
| Horizontal patterns make you look wider. | | | | But always playing it safe is no fun! |
| Vertical patterns make you look taller | | | | Try a black suit with a colored shirt, |
| and thinner. | | | | such as dark red, for a change. |
| Trouser cuffs make short legs look | | | | At the office, white or blue dress |
| shorter. | | | | shirts are business staples. Dark-toned, |
| Mixing it up | | | | striped, or check will make a nice |
| Combine your casual and dressy clothing | | | | change. |
| this winter. Remember, layering in the | | | | Opening your shirt collar and loosening |
| winter helps you better regulate your | | | | your tie does not make you look cool or |
| body temperature and cut down on | | | | relaxed. It makes you look drunk. |
| perspiration. This can help ease the | | | | Normally you should wear a |
| irritation of psoriasis. | | | | straight-collar shirt with a suit. A |
| Try layering a single-breasted suit coat | | | | button-down collar dress shirt may be |
| with a cool, casual, button-down shirt | | | | worn if it is one of high quality. |
| over a dark tee shirt (great for hiding | | | | Button downs also go nicely with a |
| stains from ointment). Then pull on your | | | | blazer or sport coat. |
| favorite older-looking jeans. | | | | Festive ties with teddy bears or Santa |
| Or wear your suit trousers with a tee | | | | Claus faces are fine for festive |
| shirt, white button-down shirt, and a | | | | occasions, but not for the office. |
| jean jacket. And by all means, leave the | | | | Adjust the width of your tie's knot to |
| tie at home. | | | | the width of your shirt collar. The |
| Remember, contrast makes this winter's | | | | wider the collar, the wider the knot. |
| look really work. Choosing what's | | | | From narrowest to widest knot, learn how |
| comfortable can make fashion work for | | | | to tie the four-in-hand, half-Windsor, |
| you. So get bold. There's no reason not | | | | and Windsor knot. |
| to attract a little positive attention | | | | A properly tied necktie will have a |
| to yourself. | | | | dimple under the knot. |
| Looking your best will make you feel | | | | Neckties come in two lengths: the |
| more confident in a business or social | | | | standard length of 56 inches and the |
| situation. How you present yourself | | | | longer 60 inches. Be sure to buy a |
| correlates well with how you feel about | | | | standard 56-inch tie unless you are over |
| yourself. If you don't appear to think | | | | six feet tall or have a protruding |
| much of yourself, don't expect others | | | | belly. The bottom of your tie should |
| to. The women you will want to meet in | | | | just cover your belt buckle. |
| the professional world know how a man | | | | Own at least two dress shirts of |
| should dress and are more attracted to | | | | different colors with French cuffs. You |
| one who meets those expectations. | | | | can find cuff links that are |
| Disappoint them, and you will disappoint | | | | color-coordinated with your outfit, or |
| yourself. My goal is always controlled | | | | wear silver, which goes with anything. |
| originality; noticeably different, but | | | | Cuff links with precious stones are the |
| not too far out of the box. And never | | | | most formal. |
| forget: You must be the man you appear | | | | Poly/cotton blend dress shirts hold |
| to be, or the clothes will do nothing | | | | their press well but will fade over |
| for you beyond that first impression. | | | | time. Spend the money and the effort to |
| Colors | | | | iron pure cotton shirts. You will look |
| Women know how to match colors, and so | | | | sharper and the shirts will hold that |
| should you. If this is a problem for | | | | bright color longer... |