TIE KNOTS - KNOW THE KNOTS

// Choose the right one for the Occasion //

Tie Knots - When it comes to the possibilities to knot a tie, well there are many choices. But which is the right for this or that occasion? As with any other accessories you can here go from dressy to formal and even to extravagant. In the following i give you a little guide which will help you to make the right decision.

The Four in Hand

Beside he is one of the more easy ones and very fast to knot he is also good for a dressy occasion that is not highly formal, such as parties or social outings.

The Half Windsor

A little more afford needs this standard Knot. The knot iself is a "symmetrical" knot that looks like an inverted triangle with the tip cut off. The half Windsor goes well on shirts with medium-width spread collars and is better for more formal events, such as job interviews and business meetings.

The Full Windsor

Full-Windsor knots are better with longer and wider Ties. The shape of the full Windsor is also an inverted triangle as the half-Windsor, but it is just larger. Since the full Windsor is larger, it appears highly formal and is usually worn with wide spread collar dress shirts. Full Windsor knots are best at highly formal events, such as weddings or important business meetings.

With those 3 Knots the Four in Hand, the half and the full Windsor you are already quite well prepared for the most occasions. But as always, sometimes we want to "spice up" things a little. And here you can choose from a really wide range of available Knots. Below you find 3 of some more extravagant Style.

First we have the "Eldredge Knot" it has, as the second one the "Trinity Knot", the same shape as the Windsor Knots and could be also used in more formal occasions and business meetings. The last one the "Rose Bud Knot" is more for formal occasions like Weddings or Parties and could give your Suit the little extra.

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SUIT ACCESSORIES PART 2 - TIE BARS

// TIE BAR - IF YOU WANT TO DRESS REAL SHARP //

Tie Bars - Here a little History about them. They started in the 19th Century as Tie Pins where English wealthy Gentleman used to wear these. And around the 1870s they made their way also to America where they become quite popular. The Tie Bars/Clips itself become popular in the 1920s. But enough of History.

As by Pocket Squares or Cuff Links also by Tie Bars exist a whole bunch of different Designs, Styles and Colors. In business setting you will find Men most wear smaller Bars made of Gold or Silver. However on the other side you find more and more young Men wearing other Styles and Colors and experimenting with then and different Suit Styles.

Now here are Tips to consider when wearing a Tie Bar.

     

• The fist thing to pay attention to is the Position of the Tie Bar/Clip

• The Bar/Clip should be between the 3rd and 4th shirt button (bit more closer to the 4th)

    

• The Tie Bar/Clip must be connected to both the tie's tails and the shirt.

• The width of the Bar/Clip. The half, 3/4 or the same width as the Tie are considers as "on point". So if the width is beyond or beneath the width of the Tie DO NOT wear it.

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SUIT ACCESSORIES PART 1 - SUSPENDERS

// SUSPENDERS A ALTERNATIVE TO A BELT //

Suspenders - While there where seen in the past often instead of Belts during the nineteenth and early twentieth century they where considered as "Underwear" and it was improper for suspenders to be viable at all. Well standards has moved on so that you can show your suspenders without fear of being "improper".

But enough of History. Suspenders could be, beside a alternative to a Belt, also a good Fashion Statement like a Pocket Square, a Watch or a Tie Bar.  A good tailored Suit with some nice Suspenders could give your Suit the little extra. And from looking Professional to Trendsetter - all is possible. 

Now here some Tips for wearing Suspenders:

• NEVER wear both together: Suspenders and Belt

• Unlike Pocket Squares and Ties Suspenders could match the Tie but better is to wear a different matching color or Pattern.

Some more Information you will find in the following Picture like the types of the Suspender Attachments or a Suspenders Sizing Chart.

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SHIRTS - WANT TO KNOW MORE?

// SHIRTS - HOW TO MAINTAIN AND MORE //

Shirts - There is more about them to know then just how to pick the right Color, Fabric or Print. Shirts also need to maintained. For example how to Iron them. There are several things to keep in Mind with this. Here are some Points just about Ironing: Temperature, with or without Steam, the way to iron them, could i even iron them? Well you see there are some Points to keep in Mind.

Its starts with the washing then the drying, the ironing (if so) and how to store them. You should always remember a messed up shirt will also ruin even the best tailored Suit. Here is a little example of how to iron a shirt:

After that i would normally recommend to use a Hanger to store your Shirt but sometimes we have to travel and the the question appears: How do i transport my Shirt? Well there are some ways to do this, like special Bags for example so that you don´t need to fold them. But we all know... sometimes we don´t have the space to carry a lot of Bags with us. 

Here is an Example for you how to "fold" your Shirt. I tried it and it worked out pretty well if you pay attention on the rolling part ;-)

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PS: I practice a lot on step 4.... just a little Tip.

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SHIRTS - WHAT TO KNOW

// SHIRTS - A BASIC GUIDE //

Shirts are as most important to a good Suit as the Suit itself. A bad chosen Shirt could mess up even a well tailored Suit. There are a few things to keep in mind when you choose your Shirt. The Color, the Print, with Cuff Links or without which type or Collar and so on.

But lets start with the Basic Stuff. The Color and the Print. Well as you assumed already, you have here a wide range to choose from. But in the end on top of all knowledge, it is the sense for a good Match what makes the final Point. But as in everything... This needs time. You find here a little overview what helps you to find the right Color which Matches to a Suit Color.

But we don´t want to make the things to easy. Some Colors don´t go with your skin tone. So what to do about that. Well here is also a little Guide that will help you.

Now lets come to the hard Stuff. Patters and the fitting Tie. Well this is a hard topic. But here is a Basic Guide which could help to make the right choice. Another Tip is to check out the Internet for Suit. Here you find often Suits, Pattern Shirts and matching Ties. This also can help you little by little to gain a sens for this difficult topic.

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POCKET SQUARES - A GUIDE

// POCKET SQUARES - A BASIC GUIDE//

Lets talk about another essential to a Gentleman's wardrobe, the Pocket Square. Appropriate for all formal occasions, the pocket square adds a touch of style to your Suit. But as in Cuff Links and Ties, here are a few rules when selecting your pocket square:

• White is always right. You will never go wrong with a white pocket square. It matches all suit combinations, and is a classic with a traditional touch.

• Contrast a conservative suit with a bold pocket square and vice versa. We’ve all heard the phrase " The opposites attracts.". With a muted grey, black, or brown suit it is nearly impossible to go too bright with your pocket square.

• DO NOT AND I REPEAT DO NOT match your pocket square with your tie. A perfect match looks tacky and over planned. However the pocket square should compliment the tie.

• AND NEVER, EVER buy those tie-and-pocket-square sets. The hallmark of an amateur is the exact match (besides Weddings).

• For the Fabric? You either going to pick cotton or silk. Cotton is for sharp, crisp folds and can pretty much go with anything. When you choose silk, you’re usually going for a classier look. Silk can be used in a very casual puff fold, but if you put in the effort for a point fold with a silk square, you’re probably going to use that look in more formal/business situations.

• About the Color. Well here you have as many options as you do with ties. Solid colors are easy to match and keep the look very clean. Patterned squares let you have a little fun with your Outfit, and can give you that extra "something" when you need it the most.

Little extra tip: With patterned ties, you will definitely look professional and very well dressed with a solid color square. The white cotton pocket square is your workhorse. If you buy one pocket square, this is the one to buy.If you ever are in a rush to get out the door and don’t have time to mess around with colors and patterns, you’re going to take this one. It goes with literally every outfit and color combination imaginable, and it is always accepted.

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CUFF TYPES - KNOW THEM

// CUFFS CAN ADD THE "SOMETHING" //

We talked about Cuff Links Types in my last Post but what about the Cuffs itself? Well even there we have different Types and every Cuff Type can add a little "something" to a Suit... or ruin it. Know them.

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CUFF LINKS - KNOW THEM

// YOU LIKE CUFF LINKS - HERE ARE SOME BASICS //

There are some many Types of Cuff Links out there, it´s time to get some Basics about them. You will see that they come in many variations. And like to choose the right Tie for your Suit it is also a good Idea to take the afford to find the right set of Cuff Links.

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CUFF LINKS AND NERDS

// Suits and Nerds? Yes it goes together. //

Well, why not show a bit "Nerdism" while wearing a Suit. You may ask if this is even possible? Yes it is. With some Batman Cufflinks for example you put the little bit "something" in wearing a Suit. Even in Business environments you can live your nerdism. And you would be surprised how many of your Business Partners has also a "Nerd Side".

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GENTLEMEN - SUITS

// British Style Business Suit //

Gentlemen, here we have another fine example of a Business Suit. As you can see in the Picture one of the Eye catchers are the stitches on the edge of the Revers. Another is for sure the Tie. This... is Business with Style.

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