Friday, February 29, 2008

A man’s guide to a good suit!

I know a lot of men hate to shop but sorry to say it’s got to be done. If you can’t do it yourself bring along one of your lady friend to help you out! As great as it is to wear your old, worn out T’s and some old out of style jeans, that wardrobe isn’t going to do you much when you have to go to a formal evening, or better yet to the office or a job interview. This might be harsh, but the business world is pretty fashion conscious and superficial. Talent and strong work ethics can get you far but trust me looking good can help push you over the top. These are some simple guide lines for the modern man.

You need to get a base, a good base! The suit is the centre of any strong formal wardrobe so I suggest to you get it right! You have to start with a solid brand, it will set you back a chunk of money but the aesthetic improvement of a well made suit is priceless. I know in world this could be challenging for you men out there. I find good SL men’s fashion to be very limited, but don’t get discouraged because there are those few designers out there that make a great suit. Unfortunately in world you will need to be your own tailor, because there are many variables to consider. This could be the tricky part so make sure you get it right because there are plenty of guys out there wearing an ill-fitted suit the defeats all the money and effort you put into buying it.


First off, pick the right size. It sounds simple, but every company produces a suit with a slightly different form. Try on a variety of sizes and styles until you find one that properly suits your body type. Sleeves that are too long or too short are a definite sign of classlessness. So, make sure that a quarter inch of shirt cuff is visible at all times. Next, ensure that your shoulder pads fit properly.

The shoulders in a suit frame your entire body, so if they stick out too far you’ll look more like a football player than James Bond. Also, be sure that your jacket closes comfortably without any unsightly gut-sucking. The lapels should always be flush with your body. If you’ve got a beer gut or planning on growing one, then compensate with the cut of your suit (give yourself a little extra room. It’s never a bad thing). In terms of buttons, use two. No more, no less. That’s just how it is.


When it comes to pants there are three things to consider; rise, length, and whether or not to go pleated. If you’re tall, you should go with a medium or low rise. If you’ve got a little man complex then low rise is your only option. Regardless of how tall you are, the pants should fall halfway between the heel and soul of your shoe. No crumpling at the heel. The crumple is the enemy of good fashion. They must be hunted down and eliminated. And when it comes to pleating you have to ask yourself one question: are you a retired insurance salesman? Because they are the only people who should consider the pleat.

Now for shirts. A t-shirt and suit combo is good for casual wear, but in all other circumstances, you have to go for a collar. Ironing is vital (like you didn’t know that already) and white is always welcome, but you should also have a variety of other colours available. Just be sure to keep them dark and cool. That bright colored shirts may look good on the rack, but could possibly look like shit everywhere else - even on you, perhaps. If you’re thinking about popping your collar out, don’t, just don’t, as simple as that. If you’re going to go with a tie, keep it simple or monochrome.


Shoes come next. Lace-up or loafers, it’s pretty hard to fail on this one. As long as the colour blends in with the suit, you should be fine. Brown is less formal than black. As long as you’re not buying from a cheap discount store, it’s hard to go wrong. When it comes to belts, keep it black and go with a silver buckle. If you want to top of the look with accessories you can but simplicity is the key here, NOT TOO MUCH. I mean simple, don’t go adding some “bling bling” chains and big diamond earrings with those flashy Dior fake glasses or else you’ve just ruined it all. Remember you don’t want to look like you are trying too hard.


Q. xo



Yehuiah Bates is wearing the following:
Skin *Minnu*
Hair *Aitui*
Classic Italiana Suit and Tie in Black *Armidi*
Shoes *Redgrave*

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