You can get there, but it’s going to take work, dedication, and long hours of shopping, shopping, shopping. Proceed with caution and pay close attention: The fashion victim you save could be yourself.
Unbuttoned Shirt, Loosened Narrow Tie
A loose and louche look for the right kind of partying man; this can easily stray into schlubby happy-hour-at-Friday’s territory if you’re not careful. Why start your day looking like you just woke up not knowing who or where you are? HOW After work, with a drink at a party. Wear your suit to the office, add jeans, open the tie, tzsuj the sleeves, boom—you’re ready to rock.
Bargain Hunting
A bargain is never a bargain if what you end up with doesn’t fit you right, doesn’t look good on you, or never sees the light of day. Do not buy something just because it’s on sale. Do not become a bargain whore. How to work carefully. Monitor stuff you like and go after them at sale time. But just like not going into supermarkets on an empty stomach, don’t go into mega-sales without a clear idea of what you need.
Sneakers and a Suit
You need attitude to pull this off. And you need the right place to strut it: a party, a funky workplace. Definitely not a wedding. Try this with a traditionally cut suit with a luxury fabric and you’ll look like a moron. How to work. This demands a narrow European-cut suit in a modern fabric, or better yet a summer poplin suit. Nothing too fancy or the look is ruined. A twist for winter is a heavier, tweedy but still slim-cut suit with motorcycle or cowboy boots.
The Belt-Over-the-Belt-Loops Look
This is my specialty, and really I have to warn you against trying it at home. You need a sense of rakish angle, of contrasting weights, and a really cool belt buckle. HOW to work Honey, don’t.
Paisley
Contrary to Elle Woods in Legally Blonde 2, SOME people do look good in paisley. I love an old, bold paisley pattern on a man. How to work it Start with a tie or a pocket square. You don’t want to jump directly to a three-piece suit all in paisley Leave that to me or, better yet, Prince.
