Personal Fashion 101

To master fashion is a virtually impossible task. If you look at some of the fashion moguls today, they wear the most absurd things and claim that it is in style right now and you don’t know fashion if you don’t understand their fashion. In my opinion, understanding fashion is a personal endeavor because everyone’s style is different. Understanding what looks good on you and which styles fit you as an individual and what fits your body type is essential. The purpose of this article is to help you understand what looks good on you with a few simple pointers.

When shopping, consider these few questions:

  1. What fit are you looking for? Some people like the slim fitting style, some people like having space, it is all up to you.
  2. What tones and undertones match your skin? Just because you like the color green, that doesn’t mean you can wear a bright green shirt. Look for shades that match with your skin, so you don’t look too out of place.
  3. If I buy this, what can I wear it with? Don’t buy something just because you think it is nice. It can totally be nice, but if you can’t wear it with other articles of clothing, you’ll never have the opportunity to wear it.
  4. Does this piece of clothing express who I am? Clothing is a form of art for certain people. Express yourself with what you wear; people identify you by the clothing you wear.
  5. Finally, do I like what I am getting? Don’t buy clothing that you won’t enjoy wearing. There are always ways of buying clothing that you deem aren’t comfortable or not your style, and finding a way to own the look.

Use some of the pointers and essentials I mentioned in a previous article to better understand what to buy next!

Simple Style Accessories

Accessories always add a pop of color or some nice accents to your attire. Depending on your style, each person may accessorize differently. Currently, the trendiest look is the use of simplistic accessories or jewelry. Another stylish look is matching accessories to add color to what you are wearing. Here are some ideas for you to consider.

One trendy look right now is the use of handkerchief when wearing a suit. The easiest way to rock that style is by wearing a tie to match it. Stores like H&M do an excellent job at selling ties and matching handkerchief for this purpose. Another trend right now is the accents. You can wear attire that tends to have one color or more of a formal look and want to add something that pops, accents are the way to go. I have seen people wear black suits with a watch that has red rubber straps and socks to match. It is not the traditional look that people are used to, but it helps you express who you are, and that is all that matters. If you want to stay formal, look for gold and silver accents. This can be done by wearing a watch, bracelet, rings, or a necklace that maintains the same color scheme.

If you have an idea you want to try out with your next look, contact me, and we can figure it out together if you’re unsure!

Your Must Have Essentials

What are your must-have pieces in your closet? In case of anything, this is what you need.

  1. White button-down shirt
  2. Light blue button-down shirt
  3. Light pink button-down shirt
  4. Striped dress shirt
  5. Chambray Shirt
  6. White t-shirt
  7. Black tie
  8. Slim navy Chinos
  9. Beige/tan chinos
  10. Indigo slim fit jeans
  11. 511 Levi’s blue jeans
  12. Navy blue two-piece or three-piece suit (preferably wool)
  13. Navy blue blazer (separates)
  14. A sports-jacket of your preference
  15. Denim jacket
  16. Silver colored watch
  17. Pair of glasses that compliment your head
  18. Lightweight Jacket – Denim or Nylon/Cotton Bomber
  19. Leather Chukka Boot/Chelsea boots
  20. Tan derby shoes
  21. Dress shoes you find comfortable
  22. Trench coat
  23. Bomber jacket
  24. Black belt
  25. Brown belt

Mix and match to your discretion, but make sure to be confident with what you are wearing!

Cheap But Quality Style

If you are on a budget but are trying to dress well, don’t worry, you have options. Depending on your budget, there are different places you can go and get a good quality suit at a reasonable price. When we think of suits, we think of a clean-cut look and often, that comes at a price. Personally, I am an individual who really likes suits and wear a different blazer every day, I have never paid the high prices that most people pay. Here are my secrets to getting a clean look for a reasonable price.

First off, I always check the clearance section, whether I am shopping online or in person. The better finds for cheap but great clothing are done when you go in person and dig through the clearance section. Clothing is tossed together in one area and often times blend in with the other piles and racks of clothing around; you can find steals there. I am personally a fan of H&M because they make cheap slim fit clothing and they are constantly changing their clothing lines, adding more clothing to their collections in short spans of time, which is where fast fashion came about. I once got lucky and bought a wool blazer and a cotton blazer, for $30 total, because I was willing to look through the whole section. Both jackets have lasted the last two years, and I still wear them today.

If we are looking for a little higher in class, Macy’s tends to sell everything full price while it is on display but offer large amounts of promotions to get customers through the door. Their assortment of well-crafted wool suits and tailored attire is one that fashionistas dream about. I once bought a wool, slim fit, Calvin Klein navy blue suit, two-piece, for $250. At the register, I received a voucher that helped me get fully leather shoes to match the suit, for only $10. I looked classy at the wedding and now have a suit for all joyous occasions. I will have no worries about it getting ruined over time, considering its quality and the craftsmanship that is clearly visible.

One step higher on the consumer chain, you have stores like Men’s Wearhouse, Jos. A Bank, Joseph Abboud, which all sell a large assortment of cuts, styles, and fits, depending on one’s size. I tend to look at their clearance sections as well, considering that suits go up to 80% off after one or two season pass. I am personally not one who keeps up with seasonal trends and takes my own route with my style, so I don’t care if something is not in style, I just care that it looks good on me. Stores like this can sell you well-crafted, 100% wool suits, originally priced in the thousands range, for $100 to $300 range. Men’s Wearhouse holds most brands, so they have a large assortment of everything, while Joseph Abboud and Jos. A Bank only sells their own clothing and have multiple lines and styles under their names.

Depending on how much money you want to spend, there are always options available when looking for a suit. As long as you have an idea of what you want and how much you want to spend, there is a store out there for you. For more help, please reach out and we can figure it out together!

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Wedding Attire

Mazal Tov! You are going to a wedding! Time to dapper up because everyone will be looking. When it comes to weddings, the safest bet is always the formal look. When getting dressed for a wedding, first always look at the invitation. Make sure that you follow the dress code listed on the card if there is one listed. Black tie means black tie, don’t be the odd one out if you are trying to play it safe. If there is no dress code for the wedding, here are some basics you will need to know to fit in the crowd.

The typical and very safe look for weddings is the formal black suit. Depending on your budget, there are different ranges of prices that you can pay to own a nice black suit. If you’re going to buy a black suit, make sure that lint does not attract to the suit because it will frustrate you the whole time at the wedding when you are trying to rub it off. I usually go with the wool or cotton suit, because it breathes and doesn’t hold the smell of body odor like polyester does.

Current trends are the slim or fitted/tailored look. When going out to shop, look for a two-piece suit, with two buttons, slim lapels, a short jacket, and slim fit pants. Go in person to stores and try them on, online stores will most likely display good products but will not be the right fit when you get it in the mail. You would rather be safe and not scramble days before the event, running to tailors to make it your size and risk them butchering it.

Now that you have your suit, the next step is finding a nice, slim fit, white or light blue shirt. TO know if it’s a good fit for you, you must have a little space in the neck area, not to much, the sleeves reach all the way to your arms and you have space to move when you lift your arms, and that the collar is big enough for the not you want to make with your tie. Once you have figured that out, your next step is picking a tie. If the event is not black tie, you can wear any color tie or any design because you are already wearing a neutral black colored suit and a neutral plain colored shirt. Add an element of pop to your look and wear a tie that really expresses how you’re feeling or who you are. Finally, we have our shoes and belt. Preferably, they should match in color, but add an element of class to your whole look. Since we are wearing a black suit, the best option is to go with black leather shoes that are the best fit for your feet. Options are usually oxfords, loafers, derby, monk, and wing tips shoes. Shoes you may chose to the discretion of your taste. Match your belt to the look and you are on your way to the wedding!

You look great!! Have fun!

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Interview Attire

So, I am guessing you came across this post because you are getting ready for an interview. First off, breathe, you already made it this far. Next step is picking out the right clothing then getting that job or internship. To start off, really do some research on what kind of firm you are going to is like. Ask yourself “what do the employees where?” or “ what is their dress code at work?” By doing so, you can figure out what their corporate culture is in terms of dress code and you can plan accordingly. I that is a hard task for you, let’s go over some simple things that you can wear and not feel out of place.

A navy-blue blazer is an excellent way to avoid the typical black suit and will be a great addition to your interviewing wardrobe. It is to your discretion what tone of navy-blue you would like to wear; my personal preference is a little bit lighter than navy. A blazer of this color matches well with a lot of different colors. It can be worn with numerous shirt colors, with or without a tie, with matching pants or even khakis, chinos, or slacks, preferably tan, navy or grey. This look has a lot of flexibility to it, so make sure to own your look and be confident. This look is timeless, has a touch of class to it, and looks professional. So, if you’re looking for a safe way out, this is your way to go. If you have more questions, reach out to me for further advice!

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This blog will be your go-to for fashion advice. In need for advice about what to wear to your next event, go into the tabs above and read through some of our posts. If that doesn’t help, feel free to reach out to me!