I’ve previously written about the “necessary evil” of appearances. Consider this a sequel, focusing on the sometimes-dreaded topic of professional dress. I’m one of those guys that really doesn’t enjoy getting all gussied up. But inevitably, we all have to do it at some point. So we might as well do it right. An important note: a lot of men have been lead to believe spending time on their appearance is vain or unmanly.
That is plain crazy. Looking good isn’t vain; actually, it suggests to other people you value yourself. Not to mention that how you dress can also become an important part of your personal brand. Human beings are visual creatures, for better or worse. The dominance of our sight lends itself to making quick judgments using appearances. You might as well use that fact to your advantage when you need it.
How you take care of all aspects of your life—from your physical health to your clothes and everything in between—has a double impact: one on others, and one on your own self-perception.
The Power of the Suit
As long as it fits well, EVERY SINGLE GUY looks good in a suit. Young or old, rich or poor, a nicely cut, one- or two- or (heck) three-piece suit can work wonders for your self-esteem. People will always take you more seriously when you’re suited up well.
Again, the caveat: the suit MUST fit properly. If it doesn’t, the effect is greatly diminished.
What Sort of Suit?
Picking a suit can be a long and difficult process. But focus on the investment in time and money as being worth the potential upside.
How do you know which color, fabric or style to go for? Remember, there are certain suits that should only be worn on particular occasions. For example, a morning suit may be appropriate for groomsmen at a wedding, or a day out at the races. But they can have limited use in many other circumstances.
Likewise, a tuxedo is, of course, acceptable for a black-tie event, but not for happy hour drinks with your work crew…unless you are wearing it ironically. Don’t do that. Irony should only be a literary device, not a clothing choice.
The best advice is to try on as many suits as you can. You will get a feel for what looks good on your particular body type. Remember, though, that double-breasted suits will make you look broader, whereas single-breasted ones have a more slimming effect (and if you’re like me, you want that slimming…)
Ultimately, if you’re on a budget, try to get a suit that works in most situations you expect to encounter. But if you have the ducats to spare, try to have a few suits for different occasions.
Accessories, Once Again
I’ve talked about this before, but it bears repeating: If you think your mission is accomplished once you’ve bought the suit, think again. To wear a suit properly, you need to keep accessories in mind (again, something many men are not “trained” to consider).
With this in mind, you need to get the following items to complete your look:
The first is a great belt. Belts can be problematic because they age quickly and can stretch around the holes. Luckily, some clothing genius came up with the ratchet belt. It has no holes but still gives a stronghold. This means they last much longer and look much better for their entire lifespan.
The other key item (and this cannot be stressed enough) is the right pair of shoes. Color matters! Grey and blue suits can be worn with brown shoes, but these should be avoided if you are wearing black.
Warning: loafers should always be avoided unless you’re a fashion pro and know exactly how to pull them off with a suit.
And by the way, there should be no question about this, but I want to be clear: WEAR SOCKS! Unless you’re a rich European playboy out on holiday, put some cover on those feet before you put on the shoes.
Alright, enough pontificating about clothes for one post. Get out there and show ‘em a confident gentleman!
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This post was previously published on LiveTheHero.com and is republished here with permission from the author.
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