Suit Yourself...

Gentlemen, now it’s time to focus on you, and only you.  For starters, it is important to figure out what your “fashion identity” is.  This is vital because it is a true projection of what you represent and the impression you want to make.  Lucky for you, a male presence never goes without notice.  It is very rare to come across a man that doesn’t capture a room with confidence or the illusion of this.  Regardless, you are naturally intriguing.  Your wardrobe however, will determine how long this “attention” lasts.  Are you trying to make an impression: at a business meeting, seminar,  job interview,  first date, special event, night out on the town, or just catching up with a friend?  Know the impact you want to make and stick with a comfortable style personality.  Try not to insist on being someone you are not.  Your image will make the first impression, and then your personality and ability to communicate ultimately leaves its mark on how someone will remember you, so feel secure in your clothing choices.

The Boss: You mean business, you are business, and you wear business.  This style personality is strong and right to the point.  This spring and summer is all about tailored, slimmer suits.  Accessorize your debonair look with a pocket square and a notable shirt and tie combination to really make a statement.  Bravo, to the 60’s and 70’s inspired suits with a hint of English refinement.  Retro never looked so modern. 

Blue and Gray: These color suits are popular this season. The idea behind the blue and grey suits is to wear the color together, complementing different hues, not in a monochromatic way. The blue seen on runways during this seasons fashion week is more of a heightened blue hue; don’t be afraid to make a statement.

Checks and Balances: Plaid suits are also in.  The best part about a plaid suit is the jacket can turn into a great sports coat when worn with jeans.  Shadow plaids are the best to buy because you can pair this pattern with shirt and tie combinations.   Bold plaids require a little more attention.  You have to be careful when going for more of a bold look; you don’t want anything else competing with your suit so pair it with a white button down and solid colored ties.

Let it Shine: Sateen suits are also in this season.  Yes it’s true, you can shine your way into a board room without any judgments; if they have any sort of fashion sense that is.  The Gray sateen suits featured this springs Gucci collection can make any man look and feel dapper no matter what the occasion.

Seeing Double:  Ah yes, the double-breasted suit; the classic suit every man has, or has worn at some point in his life.  However, the double-breasted sports coat is showing up in every spring/summer men’s wear collection.  Go for a coat as slim as possible and a little shorter so you can wear it unbuttoned.  Try pairing it with a loose necked tee and light scarf.

The Look, The Feel: That’s right, Cotton. The cotton suit should be a staple in a man’s summer wardrobe.  Two-tone, gray, basic khaki or navy are always winners.  Pair this cool suit with a light color, or patterned shirt and tie combo for a handsome summer impression.  Remember to embrace the wrinkles, it adds a little attitude.

For great suits, style ideas, shirt and tie combinations my favorites are the spring/summer collections from:

• Burberry
• DKNY
• Giorgio Armani
• Gucci
• H&M
• J Crew
• Louis Vuitton
• Tommy Hilfiger
• Roberto Cavalli

The All American: This style personality is conservative and classic.  Alluring essentials featuring polo shirts, tipped cardigans, oxford cloth shirts, rugby shirts, light sweaters, jeans and tailored shorts.  Think James Dean but more of a turn of the century “cool kid”. 

Knit Pick: Love your ties? This season is all about light, striped, cloth ties.  A lighter fabric can give you the satisfaction of assembling your outfit with this fantastic accessory and not look out of place.  The upside to this slighter tie is you can pull it off with basically any style shirt.

White Out: White pants are also trending this season. Don’t be afraid.  These pants make a statement, attract attention and give you the versatility to dress up or dress down your outfit.  However the rules to wearing white pants are as follows: make sure they are slimmer style and stay away from pastel colors on top.  Darker, valiant colors will leave you with the perfect balance of style and should be paired with an appealing sandal.  If your sandals involve Velcro, or rubber, slap yourself, “Tevas” and “Crocs” should have never existed.

I See Stripes: The Striped sweater is back with a vengeance.  This retro style look is great to create an illusion of bigger, broader shoulders.  Look for the sweaters with a bold stripe; think rugby or football jersey for a sporty athletic vibe.

The Cargo Pant: This style pant is back and better than ever.  Unfortunately, that does not mean you can dust off the old “painters cargo pant” you have kept all these years hoping for a fashionable return. This spring/summer idea of a cargo pant is slimmer, and tailored.  Roll up the pant legs, ditch the socks and go for colors like salmon, slate blue, or cement.  Dress it up with a blazer and oxford, or garb it down with a tee.
Khaki Kraze: Now it’s time for me to get you out of the olive, tan and black box. This season it is fashionably acceptable to kick it up a notch with colored chinos.  Orange, blue, green, lavender, or whatever colors you like make sure it is the only focus in your outfit.  Hold back from any “matchy-matchy” mistakes; tone everything back so your pants make the statement. 

Wing Man: Don’t get too excited, I am not giving you tips on how to dress your weekend partner in crime, I am talking about shoes.  Suede wingtip style shoes are huge this season.  When you think suede, usually the mind reverts to fall or winter.  However, these different spirited shoes have a colored or two tone sole to them and can be worn with a skinnier suit pant, khakis, or sockless with tailored shorts. 

To complete your” All American” style personality look for ideas and color combinations from a few of my favorite designers and shops:

• Banana Republic
• DSquared2
• Emporio Armani
• Gap
• Gucci
• H&M
• J Crew
• Moschino
• Nautica
• Prada
• Ralph Lauren
• Simon Spurr
• Tommy Hilfiger

 The Vacationer: Your style is lackadaisical and your fashion is effortless. Light fabrics, floral prints, safari style coats, and nautical influence accentuate this personality.

Hawaiian Punch: Floral shirts are making a big comeback this year with a popular island spirit. Pair these shirts with a neutral cargo short or pant to accentuate your outfit. The rest of your wardrobe shouldn’t be too loud; this Hawaiian style shirt is your main focus and remember, the slimmer style the shirt, the better you look.

Lions, Tigers, and Bears: Your safari style look is huge this season. Tailored style jackets are in and screaming adventurist.  Pair these jackets with a color, keeping it casual so you don’t look like you belong in the bushes, or working as a tour guide at the zoo.

Sea Stripes: Think weekend getaway with this laid back, nautical look. A light striped sweater paired with a colored chino rolled up at the bottom, or fitted color shorts, is a look that will make a bold statement with a freewheeling flair.

My favorite designers and shops from the “Vacationer” style personality:

• Banana Republic
• DKNY
• Givenchy
• Gucci
• Gap
• J Crew
• Jean Paul Gaultier
• Lacoste
• Louis Vuitton
• Loden Dager
• Michael Bastian
• Ralph Lauren
• Tommy Hilfiger

As always, thank you for reading.  Enjoy discovering your new found style personality, and please share with anyone who might need a little assistance.  A good deed never goes out of style...