Every well-dressed man knows there is a real and critical difference between fashion and style. Fashion is a seasonal phenomenon that is constantly changing. One minute hot pink boutonniere buttonholes are in, the next they’re passé. Style, on the other hand, is classic. Men’s style rules have remained relatively constant for more than a century. Style comes in the way your fits suits and the quality of the fabric.
To that end, Knot Standard offers a list of Dos and Don’ts. From Cary Grant to Hugh Grant, what counts first is style and then what follows is fashion.
Dos
- Do have your suit tailored. Fit first. Always.
- Do stick to navy or gray if this is your first suit.
- Do wear peak lapels to make yourself look more aggressive and fit. But don’t wear them if you are the defendant in a murder trial.
- Do watch your stripes! A pinstripe suit with a pinstripe shirt can be a good combination, but make sure your tie is solid to ground the look.
- Do avoid double pleats. If you’re a fan of the classic look of pleats, a nice single pleat will help keep your look slim if flat front is not your style.
- Do wear French cuffs without a tie. The formalness of a shirt with French cuffs dresses up an open collar and blazer look.
- Do mix in rich brown belts and shoes with gray and navy suits, a great way to change the look of classic suit colors.
- Do match your bowties to your tuxedo. Satin lapels need a satin bowtie, silk lapels need a silk bowtie.
- Do match your belt with your shoes.
- Do keep your shoes shined, always wear a pocket square and make sure there’s a dimple in your tie.
Don’ts
- Don’t go for less than quality fabrics.
- Don’t be afraid to buy a suit online. Talk to a Knot Standard bespoke advisor to learn more about our risk-free guarantee.
- Don’t match exactly your tie, pocket square and cufflinks.
- Don’t dryclean your suit more than once a month.
- Don’t wear a black suit to work. Black suits should be saved for evening events and special occasions.
- Don’t put anything in your front suit pockets, keys and cell phones can slowly stretch out the wool and jeopardize the sleekness of your suit.
- Don’t be afraid to wear colorful shirts but also remember white shirts go with everything.
- Don’t wear pleats in your trousers if you’re slim built, do if you’re heavy set.
- Don’t wear white dinner jackets unless you want to look like Captain Stubing from the Love Boat.
- Don’t wear a striped shirt with a pinstriped suit. In fact, wide set pinstripes are for London City bankers. Day trader on Wall Street? Go for our classic Steel Blue Nailshead six-button double-breasted with light blue poplin shirt.
- Don’t wear cuffs unless you understand the rules of break. If you don’t understand the rules of break, stay tuned.
- Don’t wear socks with loafers.
Got questions? Tweet us at @KnotStandard or leave a comment on our Facebook page.