SHOES FOR GENTLEMEN - A GUIDE

// LET'S TALK SHOES //

Gentlemen as of any other accessory shoes are important as ties, pocket squares or the suit itself. I talked about that with my girlfriend Beautyundergrad (Link) a fashionista. And from a woman point of view shoes are as important as the rest of your outfit.

But let us dive now into the topic. I give you a overview of the type of shoes, the tip of the shoe and why you should consider it as well as some care taking info's.

(click picture to enlarge)

As you can see in the chart there are many types of shoes for a gentleman. While some of them are for business, formal occasions and events so are the other for the private part.

Derby, Oxford, Chelsea and Wingtip are the classical business shoes. Derby and Chelsea are the more "Day to Day" shoes in a business environment. (I highly recommend to own at least one of these.)

Oxford and Wingtip are the one you should consider if you attend in a "high rank" or important meeting also for more formal events.

The rest are for the more casual / private occasions and events.

When you about to buy a new pair of shoes you also need to consider the tip of the shoe. Beside the aesthetic purpose of the tip those have also a side effect you need to pay attention to.

• Pointed Tip: those will help you to make you feet look longer as they actually are
• Round Tip: for those with bigger feet the round tip help to make the feet look smaller
• Square Tip: if you have small feet those will help you to let you feet look bigger

And as you can imagine there are a lot of varies and crossovers. This will help you to find a good pair of shoes that not only fit to your outfit it will also compliment it.

Your about to buy a new pair of shoes and as it is those business shoes, as an example, can be expensive even if you don´t buy a designer brand. And we want that they pay off in the long term which mean we have to take care of them.

Of course in the picture are shown the more fancier ones of shoe care kits but it gives you an idea what it means if you take being a gentleman serious.

And i can tell you to clean, wax and polishing your shoes can also have something relaxing even meditating.

But with the cleaning we are not done with the care taking. In the picture above are shown some shoe trees that will help you to keep your shoes in the from the have to be, dry and also help to keep unwanted off odors away.

At last let me tell you this. A woman will look at your whole outfit and even recognizes the details. Woman love a man, a gentleman, who is capable of putting his outfit together that it matches. A gentlemen with manners and knows how to dress for his lady of his heart is for the woman the biggest turn on. Am i right Beautyundergrad? (LINK)

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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 - 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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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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