During Corona some have worked from home for months and others haven’t or went back to the office pretty quickly again. Whatever your past months looked like, chances are it is back to the office and back to business. Because wearing the wrong business men’s clothes can give the wrong impression and because you have other moments besides formal wear, we would like to take you through all the do’s and don’ts with matching advice.
Formal shirts for men
A dress shirt is the basis for every formal outfit. A formal shirt projects a business look. Especially white shirts and light blue shirts are a must-have. In addition, widen your shirt wardrobe with some stripes or pied-de-poule checks. Whatever you do, try to stay away from tropical colors.
Business suits and sports jackets
In some professions, it is normal to wear a suit . Think of bankers, accountants, or advocates. Do you need to wear a business suit, and do you plan on buying your first suit, then think of colors like navy blue or anthracite. If you wear suits daily, you might want to look at other, more deary colors and patterns. Perhaps a green suit is something for you, or what about burgandy red? And of course, a checkered suit can’t be missing from your wardrobe then.
Is a suit not mandatory but you still need to look sharp? Then a sport jacket might be something for you. Wear a linen blazer during summer and a woolen blazer during winter. You can wear a cotton blazer all year round, and when the sport jacket is made of S100 wool or higher, it is also suitable for summer days. To make your sport jackets last longer it is wise to wear a different one every day. And also try to change between colors and designs.
The suit pants
Sometimes you might be overdressed with a complete business suit. But, did you know that you can wear the suit pants separate? Combine your suit pants with a formal shirt and create a playful but business look. Suit pants are available in different colors, models, and patterns. From woolen formal pants till cotton. One type that is really up and coming are the jersey stretch pants those pants have an incorporated string to give it a casual look. Do you like to wear formal pants? Try different patterns and colors to change up your outfit.
Shoes to match your outfit
The importance of shoes is often underestimated. You often see men wearing brown or cognac-colored shoes underneath a blue or anthracite suit. This used to be not done, men chose black shoes instead.
Another development is to wear white sneakers underneath your suit. At Suitable, we advise you to only do so with sneaker suits or our jersey suits.
Formal mens shoe style
The most common men’s shoe is the lace-up shoe. Two types are in particular popular: Oxfords and Derby’s. Oxfords are classic with a closed instep, and Derby’s have an open instep. In addition, the Monk-strap is also popular! This type of shoe uses straps and buckles instead of laces.
Casual style men’s shoes
Formal men’s shoes might be required at one company but the rules are more relaxed at another, as long as you look presentable. Shoes that meet these requirements well are neat white sneakers, loafers, and Chelsea boots. The white sneaker speaks for itself. Make sure you keep them white. A dirty white sneaker quickly looks sloppy. Loafers are stylish loafers that do very well with just pants and a shirt. This way you create a stylish but nonchalant look. Chelsea boots are great for the colder days. This is because these are boots, often made of suede or leather, without laces. The ankle boots have an elastic closure.
Accessories
Don’t underestimage the power of good accessories. Give this part just as much attention as the rest of your business outfit.
The tie
At suitable we have an extensive collection of neckties. You find ties in different colors. Every color can express a different message, so the speak. We explain a bit more about this below.
- Red: Exudes strength, power and passion. Do pay attention to the color red. Light tones are associated with creativity. Shiny red ties represent ambition; matte ties, on the other hand, are more subtle. The burgundy red-colored ties reflect trust.
- Purple: represents self-confidence and giving a good first impression. This tie does well at important appointments where you are seeing each other for the first time. Combine a purple tie with a white shirt or with a fine purple stripe. Avoid pairing it with a light purple shirt, which can be too eye-catching.
- Yellow: Makes you approachable to others. With a yellow tie, you exude assurance, vitality and optimism.
- Blue:nicely safe and always right. Blue keeps people calm and it gives confidence. There are many different shades of blue. What you choose doesn’t matter.
There are also colors that we advise against. For example, a black tie, black is chic and has developed into a sophisticated impression. Nevertheless, you can come across as arrogant with a black tie. Therefore, only wear a black tie to a party. The same goes for gray. Besides, the color is old-fashioned. With a green tie, you quickly come across as garish and the meaning differs greatly from country to country. If you work with international clients, we advise you to do some research beforehand if you would like to wear a green tie.
A belt
A shirt is always worn with slacks or jeans. This means that the belt is visible. A belt is a striking item. Make sure it always lines up with your shoes. Dark blue suede men’s shoes? Then wear a dark blue suede belt with them. This goes for all colors, except for white sneakers. In that case, take a look at the rest of your outfit and decide what kind of belt to wear with it.
Other possible combinations!
A suit for men is a suit. Try combining it differently, too. Substitute pants for dark blue jeans. Whether you finish your outfit with men’s shoes, sneakers or loafers, you will still look stylish. On some days, it can also be a little more casual. Did you know you can replace a shirt for a polo shirt? We advise you to choose tone-on-tone and not to wear polo shirts with striking colors and emblems. In addition, with this set you can leave the jacket off and only show up at the office with a pair of pants and a polo. Finish the outfit with neat sneakers.
Back to business checklist
Use this checklist to put together your perfect business wardrobe:
- In addition to the standard costume, look for individual pieces of clothing. For example, a pair of chinos is not to be missed. A chino for men can be combined well with a shirt and jacket.
- Make sure the clothing fits your stature. If the clothing is too loose, you may give a wrong impression. Our customer service will be happy to help you or visit one of our shops for advice.
- Shirt in your pants or loose? Business shirts are a lot longer, so wear those tucked in. Casual shirts are shorter and can be worn over the pants. Note: never wear a shirt loose with suit pants.
Cheers,
Suitable team
