Add Some Subtle Pizzazz to Your Look. . .

A good looking gray glen plaid pattern with a mustard yellow windowpane overlay.

The word for today is "pattern." In short, guys, don't fear it or shy away from it. Sure, navy and charcoal have their place for more conservative suits and blazers or sports jackets, but, as my grandmother used to say, "Live a little!"

Glen plaid and houndstooth are two very traditional patterns that will easily liven up your wardrobe a bit. And, contrary to what many guys fear, they'll do so without making you look like the slimy Herb Tarlek on the old WKRP in Cincinnati TV program. The trick to avoiding Herb's look is to keep everything else really, really simple. Especially because both glen plaid and houndstooth are such dominant patterns.

Herb Tarlek from WKRP in Cincinnati.

To avoid aping Mr. Tarlek's tacky 1970s appearance above, I'd suggest a plain light blue oxford cloth button-down shirt and with either charcoal flannel, or tan corduroy pants along with oxblood loafers or some kind of wingtip in oxblood, tan, or dark brown. Don't forget to match your belt to your shoes as much as possible though! Dress up the look even more with an understated wool necktie. Maybe in a solid navy or gray? Or, for a more jaunty look -- ala the late Steve McQueen -- how about a turtleneck like those shown in today's photographs?

The point is, guys, you need more than just a single suit and one navy blazer in your closet. Those two items are a start, but they are only part of the picture when it comes to cultivating a more adult wardrobe. Adding a couple of sports jackets like the ones pictured at the top and bottom of today's post will provide not only more visual interest to you wardrobe but also considerably greater versatility. The trick is in keeping the rest of your clothing simple and understated, to avoid the used car salesman look like we see in the middle phototgraph.

But with that in mind, there is nothing whatsoever to fear about patterns. They can be our friends if we just give them a chance and learn how to incorporate them into our overall look, so that the result is visually pleasing.

An equally attractive brown and charcoal houndstooth tweed.

The Problem of "Business Casual" Attire. . .

This is how it's done. Business Casual the RIGHT way, ladies and gentlemen. Even during the summer months. A photograph (taken by Studio B Portraits ) which appeared in 425 Business Magazine in May 2017. T his post on the problem of business casual dress began as a quick postscript to a previous blog entry last week but quickly grew and grew as additional thoughts occurred, were developed in more detail, and revisions made. So much so, that it seemed, eventually, like a better idea to make the initial P.S. afterthought into its own entry . Are ya ready, Freddy? Then, here we go. . . ------------ U nless you actually plan to sell beach snacks and trinkets on Cozumel, become a serial barista, or greet customers at a fancy nightclub after taking out huge student loans to attend university somewhere for four or five years, plus an MBA afterward, it's really a better idea to err on the side of (somewhat) more formal work at...

Friday on Campus Style. . .

S omewhat atypically, I was on campus for several hours today helping with an interview that is part of a larger documentary project on which a colleague and I are working. Although I am behind the camera (I'm the audio guy in fact), what better reason does one need to dress presentably? Exactly. Everything worn, barring the recently purchased University of Wisconsin socks, a gift from the Grand Duchess, has been in the rotation for a while now. And, of course, there was the Panama hat, which I'll wear until we pass October 1st when the felt fedoras reappear. -- Heinz-Ulrich

Tan Suit Tuesday. . .

W hile it's now after Labor Day here in the U.S,. we still have almost three weeks left of summer according to the calendar. And since today was bright, sunny, and pleasantly warm (though far from hot), it seemed like a perfect opportunity to trot out my tan cotton suit and tan loafers/belt. Slightly disheveled, yes. And the shoes need some Renovateur to moisten 'em up But not a bad overall look if I might be so bold. -- Heinz-Ulrich

Classic Style

Search This Blog