Some men face many challenges as they seek to express more personality through their clothing. We'll look at real solutions that can give you the edge without going too far at work, or afterwards.
The Challenge: Expressing Yourself While Remaining Professional
I've met several professional men over the years who are just as challenged as women with expressing their personality while also 'looking the part' in their career. Whether they are a CEO, an attorney, or a civic leader the uniform look and feel of a suit tends to be rather plain. The simplicity of mens style isn't a negative, in fact it's what makes several elements of mens fashion timeless and useful year over year. At the same time it can be tough to find a look that communicates personality and a unique personal image, while also commanding a necessary level of respect among clients and coworkers. During a recent segment of IndyStyle on WISH-TV8 we looked at two ways a traditional suit can be updated to express more personality, while still relying on the familiarity of the traditional suit. From left to right in the image above; one look offers an edge with a high-profile jacket, another takes a welcoming approach with a monochromatic earth tone, and the last one amplifies the importance of color through a brighter shirt and tie combination.
I've met several professional men over the years who are just as challenged as women with expressing their personality while also 'looking the part' in their career. Whether they are a CEO, an attorney, or a civic leader the uniform look and feel of a suit tends to be rather plain. The simplicity of mens style isn't a negative, in fact it's what makes several elements of mens fashion timeless and useful year over year. At the same time it can be tough to find a look that communicates personality and a unique personal image, while also commanding a necessary level of respect among clients and coworkers. During a recent segment of IndyStyle on WISH-TV8 we looked at two ways a traditional suit can be updated to express more personality, while still relying on the familiarity of the traditional suit. From left to right in the image above; one look offers an edge with a high-profile jacket, another takes a welcoming approach with a monochromatic earth tone, and the last one amplifies the importance of color through a brighter shirt and tie combination.
The Solution: You Have Several Options
For you or the men in your life, it can seem that there aren't enough options for men to look fresh and modern without risking an unprofessional appearance. This is where things get interesting because each look we've shown is going to be aligned with different lifestyles, personalities, and overall goals.
Clothing shown is from www.catouwear.com.
For you or the men in your life, it can seem that there aren't enough options for men to look fresh and modern without risking an unprofessional appearance. This is where things get interesting because each look we've shown is going to be aligned with different lifestyles, personalities, and overall goals.
Clothing shown is from www.catouwear.com.
The Bordeaux Jacket:
The first look, paired with tailored jeans and an exciting pair of saddle-brown leather boots, is youthful, edgy, and casually tailored. The bordeaux jacket is what changes the overall look from jeans and boots to a more polished look with an attention getting silhouette. The best part about this look is that for men who want to add more style, but don't want to look too casual, a blazer in an energizing color and textured corduroy is a great option. Whether this were paired with black boots or a pair of brown or cap-toe shoes is up to the individual. The blazer offers the structure needed to balance the casual nature of jeans and boots in a way that says, "I know what I'm doing" in a smooth and confident manner.
The first look, paired with tailored jeans and an exciting pair of saddle-brown leather boots, is youthful, edgy, and casually tailored. The bordeaux jacket is what changes the overall look from jeans and boots to a more polished look with an attention getting silhouette. The best part about this look is that for men who want to add more style, but don't want to look too casual, a blazer in an energizing color and textured corduroy is a great option. Whether this were paired with black boots or a pair of brown or cap-toe shoes is up to the individual. The blazer offers the structure needed to balance the casual nature of jeans and boots in a way that says, "I know what I'm doing" in a smooth and confident manner.
One Color Please:
A Safari inspired suit is more welcoming for several reasons, from its lean lines, single-button closure, to the flap pocket on upper left, shorter lapel, repetitious nature of buttons - four buttons instead of 2 or 3, paired with vest gives a bit more formality to a relaxed. This is amplified by the wider but shorter lapels which rest on the shoulders like a loose dress shirt collar. Add to this the matching vest and you have a lot of visual interest, which is precisely why the uniform color presents a win-win for the wearer. With a lot of visual elements, diagonal pockets, stitched details that are noticeable but not overwhelming taking place, reducing the color to one, plus a pale shirt allows anyone who is looking at the wearer to see the style of the garment, without being overwhelmed. This is an excellent option for a man who wants more exciting clothes, but can't risk looking over-done or too outlandish. With a monochromatic suit like this, the interest is on the features and tailoring as a whole, which keeps the overall look calm enough for most offices, and edgy enough for dinner with friends after work.
A Safari inspired suit is more welcoming for several reasons, from its lean lines, single-button closure, to the flap pocket on upper left, shorter lapel, repetitious nature of buttons - four buttons instead of 2 or 3, paired with vest gives a bit more formality to a relaxed. This is amplified by the wider but shorter lapels which rest on the shoulders like a loose dress shirt collar. Add to this the matching vest and you have a lot of visual interest, which is precisely why the uniform color presents a win-win for the wearer. With a lot of visual elements, diagonal pockets, stitched details that are noticeable but not overwhelming taking place, reducing the color to one, plus a pale shirt allows anyone who is looking at the wearer to see the style of the garment, without being overwhelmed. This is an excellent option for a man who wants more exciting clothes, but can't risk looking over-done or too outlandish. With a monochromatic suit like this, the interest is on the features and tailoring as a whole, which keeps the overall look calm enough for most offices, and edgy enough for dinner with friends after work.
Focus on the Basics:
The importance of a tie and dress shirt cannot be overstated. By choosing colors wisely you can do more than just look sharp, you'll also bring attention to your face, where you use eye contact and non-verbal communication skills to stay connected. Often this combination is given too little attention, by grabbing a clean white shirt and a tie that matches the suit, men miss out on a key styling opportunity. For a man who can't afford to look edgy at work, or simply wants to be more traditional the three things that matter most are: the fit of the suit or blazer, the color of the shirt, and the color of the tie. By choosing shirt and tie combinations that are compatible with your skin tone it's easy for others to focus on you in conversation and in general. The color of a tie is an opportunity to bring out the color of your hair, eyes, or skin tone as well. By making this a priority, along with a well-tailored suit or blazer, you offer a cohesive and engaging appearance, while still managing to "look the part" for the roles and responsibilities you fulfill in your career, and in your personal life.
The importance of a tie and dress shirt cannot be overstated. By choosing colors wisely you can do more than just look sharp, you'll also bring attention to your face, where you use eye contact and non-verbal communication skills to stay connected. Often this combination is given too little attention, by grabbing a clean white shirt and a tie that matches the suit, men miss out on a key styling opportunity. For a man who can't afford to look edgy at work, or simply wants to be more traditional the three things that matter most are: the fit of the suit or blazer, the color of the shirt, and the color of the tie. By choosing shirt and tie combinations that are compatible with your skin tone it's easy for others to focus on you in conversation and in general. The color of a tie is an opportunity to bring out the color of your hair, eyes, or skin tone as well. By making this a priority, along with a well-tailored suit or blazer, you offer a cohesive and engaging appearance, while still managing to "look the part" for the roles and responsibilities you fulfill in your career, and in your personal life.
Quick & Easy Image Tips!
- Avoid combining more than three patterns in one outfit for business.
- Do not mix high-quality clothing with tattered or worn styles, it sends a confusing message.
- If your goal is to be perceived as likeable, use brighter colors. If you wish to be viewed as wise use darker colors.
Sola Adelowo
Clarity. Confidence. Growth.
Clarity. Confidence. Growth.
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