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Colors
Women know how to match colors, and so should you. If this is a problem for you, get help from a woman. None of the fashion tips that follow will mean anything if you wear mismatched colors. Brighter and edgier colors and color combinations can work for you, even at work if your company is not too conservative. Primary bright colors can be mixed and matched and will stay in style for some time. Don't underestimate the versatility of black and white. Mixing black and white garments gives you a stunning variety of coordination choices. You can put more different colors with these two basic ones than with any other colors. You can also go monochrome, but take care that the shades match. If you go monochrome, pick a tie that is in a contrasting color to make your outfit pop.
Shirts and Ties
There is no such thing as a short-sleeve dress shirt. A white dress shirt with a dark suit is always safe for semiformal evening wear. But always playing it safe is no fun! Try a black suit with a colored shirt, such as dark red, for a change. At the office, white or blue dress shirts are business staples. Dark-toned, striped, or check will make a nice change. Opening your shirt collar and loosening your tie does not make you look cool or relaxed. It makes you look drunk.
Normally you should wear a straight-collar shirt with a suit. A button-down collar dress shirt may be worn if it is one of high quality. Button downs also go nicely with a blazer or sport coat.
Festive ties with teddy bears or Santa Claus faces are fine for festive occasions, but not for the office. Adjust the width of your tie's knot to the width of your shirt collar. The wider the collar, the wider the knot. From narrowest to widest knot, learn how to tie the four-in-hand, half-Windsor, and Windsor knot. A properly tied necktie will have a dimple under the knot.
Neckties come in two lengths: the standard length of 56 inches and the longer 60 inches. Be sure to buy a standard 56-inch tie unless you are over six feet tall or have a protruding belly. The bottom of your tie should just cover your belt buckle. Own at least two dress shirts of different colors with French cuffs. You can find cuff links that are color-coordinated with your outfit, or wear silver, which goes with anything. Cuff links with precious stones are the most formal. Poly/cotton blend dress shirts hold their press well but will fade over time. Spend the money and the effort to iron pure cotton shirts. You will look sharper and the shirts will hold that bright color longer. Another alternative is the newer no-iron, all-cotton dress shirt first sold by Brooks Brothers. After sewing, a compound is baked into the fabric with an adhesive on the seams that prevents the shirt from puckering at the cuffs, collar, and placket. Depending on where you buy these shirts, expect to pay $30 to $65 per copy. So far, this process is only workable for smoother cottons such as pinpoint oxford and 2-ply broadcloth. The process is not yet available for finer...
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