Wednesday, November 5, 2008

The Classic Casual look

I had a close friend send me a request about addressing how to dress down. He basically wears suits everyday and wants to know how to approach his casual wardrobe. Well here is my short and sweet version of the classic casual look 8 tips you need.

1. A quality fitted denim jean (not skin tight by any means but something that says grown man)
2. Sportsjackets (so multi-functional can be wore with jean, khakis, or slacks in our case we are looking at jeans)
3. the button down collar shirt- Classic in approach yet versitle enough to pull off with jeans and sports jacket, you can buy them in an array of colors blue, red, green, and the classic white
4. Driving mocasin loafers- In carmel or chocolate brown and Black make sure you have a belt to compliment each color.
5. Sweaters- They are a happy medium between in casual dress game, sweater vest, half-zips, and v-necks crew necks are okay but not really in. I suggest bright and vivid colors something to show your personality
6. Jackets- Crew collar jackets are big again, also military themed jackets (not the ones with bars, stripes, and ranks on them horrible!!) buy them to fit as well
7. Scarves- For the fall, winter season, once the weather where you live gets below 60 you can qualify to wear a scarf keep in mind that there are other materials besides wool that can be worn (silk and cotton if you want something light) however if your a beginner I suggest that you master your look before you attack this one.
8. Hats- hats are a consistent when it comes to the stylish male, Newsboy caps, fedoras, dobbs, please make sure that the hat matches the season (straw-summer, felt-fall/winter, wool-winter)

these tips will keep you prepared for everything from dinner with the wife/girlfriend to a night out the town with the fellas. If your traveling on business keep slacks with you it will help you to pack light and make you clothes multi-functional.

take care,

TCSG

Wednesday, October 29, 2008

Your sweater game

Working on college campus I often see what is the cutting edge of fashion. The latest shoes, hard denim, military jackets,etc. However the current most valued item is the cardigan. Classic in approach and pretty much compliments everything. I have been a cardigan wearer since I was 12 my grandfather a prominent Tulsa minster wore them daily around the house during the fall months to "break the chill in the air" and since that was my role model I happily followed suit. In the cardigans latest arrival it has been used in everything for the british retro punk look to cleaning up your favorite rapper's favorite rapper. However please keep in mind that there are "rules" (always use that term losely in fashion) to this.
1. Fit- please do not oversize your cardigan- this is classic piece of fashion keep it that way
2.Quality- If you are going the classic look try to buy the best you can ( Ralph Lauren, Michael Kors, etc) If money is an issue (after all we are in a recession) then try gap, old navy, banana republic, JC penny's
3. Color- Make sure your colors match the seasons, besides black and gray just about every other color have a season
Darker colors -Winter/Fall
Light colors- Summer/Spring
Allthough the cardigan may be the featured sweater for the year the V-neck sweater vest is great addition along with v-neck long sleeve mock turtle neck (with sports jacket)and half zip sweater(try a button down shirt even a tie). These are all great investments to upgrade your wardrobe.

Steve the Classic Style Guy