A Short on Men's Shorts

The warm weather has finally returned gentlemen and believe it or not, there are a few companies remaining that still spring for a summer boondoggle for their employees.  If you don’t work for one of them, I’m assuming you are well rounded enough to have a social life and a vacation planned thus, a little advice on wearing shorts. 

Shorts should be as flattering on your physique as your pants except that rather than hitting the top of your shoes, your shorts should stop just above your knee.  Leg lengths vary so you’ll need to try them on but I suggest going with an inseam of at least 10 inches.  Your shorts should be comfortable around your natural waist and fit close but not snug around your legs.  No shorts hiked up to your navel but no sagging either.

Madras is the current trend in men’s shorts and with so many variations there is a pair that will compliment any complexion.  However, if madras is too trendy for you, play it safe and go with a light khaki or seersucker.  You’ll look great at both the company outing and on your summer vacation.

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Nick Cannon in a Moods of Norway suit and Tom Ford shirt.  I have nothing further to say about this.

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Bow Ties at Work: The Great Debate

A colleague called me the other day.  After we discussed that for which we get remunerated, he switched gears and asked a simple style question.  “When wearing a bow tie, can I wear it with a suit or should I wear a sport coat?”  My answer was “either.”  But his question made me think about how guys are hesitant to rock a bow tie at work.  Functionally, it’s as useless as a necktie but the necktie became the standard for work.  Some guys worry about being taken seriously if they wear a bow tie or becoming known as “the guy that wears bow ties.”

It’s common to see bow ties worn in the medical and legal professions and in academia. 

And bow ties are certainly associated with black or white tie events and recently have caught on with younger guys.  However with a couple of exceptions, like the recent camo trend, a bow tie can be blended into any work wardrobe.  It just needs to be appropriate for your workplace and your personal style.

First order of business, learn how to tie a bow tie.  Clip-on bow ties are not acceptable and all attempts to be taken seriously will be thwarted by the clip-on.  Further, a clip-on will cause great harm to the male adult bow tie wearing population as your lack of tying skill will make people question your brethren.  Seriously though, there are plenty of guides available and you can see one tied step by step on http://www.youtube.com/ or http://www.ehow.com/.  Also, tying your own bow tie allows you to personalize it. 

Second, take a similar approach to selecting a bow tie as you do a necktie.  Make sure the color compliments your complexion.  Consider the scale of the pattern and of course it should be work appropriate. 

Third and most importantly, pick your shirt wisely.  There’s a lot of real estate between your neck and your waistline and it’s exposed when you wear a bow tie.  I prefer a shirt with vertical stripes.  A shirt with a contrasting collar looks good too.  If solid color shirts are your thing, I recommend a pocket square in a color that brings the bow tie and shirt together.

Don’t be afraid to mix things up a bit.  There are a slew of great bow tie patterns out there appropriate for any environment.  So go ahead.  Tie one on.

You will not be taken seriously if you attend a meeting wearing a tie with your favorite team's logo emblazoned across the front.  You just won't.  And it doesn't matter which team it is.

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Marcus - Menswear Consultant and Stylist

www.beltorsuspenders.blogspot.com

www.beltorsuspenders.com

A well dressed man enhances his surroundings.

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Going to a Wedding? Getting dressed shouldn't be a royal pain.

“She’s Royal.  So Royal.” – Tarrus Riley

Congrats to Kate Middleton now known as the Duchess of Cambridge and future Queen Consort of England. (Talk about a come up!)   I'm willing to bet that no one reading this post attended the Royal Wedding.  Also, I’m willing to bet that someone reading this post will attend a non-royal wedding this spring or summer and has given little to no thought as to what to wear.

I've noticed over the last 15 years that the attire worn by wedding guests has become increasingly casual.  Now I'm not for all of the formalities involved in high post weddings but when deciding what to wear, I think you should recognize that a wedding is a special day for your boy and his bride and wearing the same clothes you wore to the bachelor party won't cut it.

I'm all about keeping it simple so here are a few tips that will help you be the most stylish yet casual guest at the wedding.

1. If it’s not black tie, don't wear black and white.  Assume that the bride and groom are going traditional.  No one should wear white besides the bride anyway and by avoiding black, you won't be confused for a groomsman and asked to escort Aunt Edna up the aisle.

2. Unless otherwise instructed, wear a jacket and a tie.  It doesn't matter if the wedding is being held on a subway platform in August; the occasion dictates at least that level of effort.  Put on a suit jacket or sport coat and pair it with a shirt and tie in an appropriate color for the season.  If it is going to be hot outside, consider a khaki or seersucker suit.  A jacket and tie will let folks know that you're a grown man but when the reception is jumping you can loosen up and twirl the jacket over your head.

3. Leave your socks at home.  Seriously.  Going sockless is a subtle way to make your jacket/tie combo a little more casual.  Just make sure you put some baby powder in your shoes and some lotion on your ankles.

Dressing like a man for a wedding, royal or not, doesn't have to be a royal pain.