Mastering The Office Style. 🎯

Greetings Gents,

You lads had a ton of requests for office wear styling, and since we all work in different work environments, the best way to tackle that topic is in phases. So I’ll be rolling out separate write ups for those who work in casual and business casual spaces in the coming weeks. But if you work in a professional environment, or have a curiosity about how to improve your suit style, then today’s style note is for you. Some of you are already experts in this department, but hopefully there are a few tips that’ll still come in handy. And with the scorching summer quite a few weeks away, there’s no better time than now, to look and feel your best, in a well tailored suit. So let’s dive right into it.

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1. State of the Art Footwear

Bringing out the best of any quality suit, relies largely on a good pair of dress shoes. And hopefully you already own some. You can’t go wrong with a brown or black pair. And although I see no need to choose, I’d stick to a black pair if you’re just starting out, due to the fact that they are a bit more versatile for daily office wear, and formal or leisure events. Penny loafers, Tassel Loafers, Oxfords or Monkstraps, are all fair game. For loafers, add a pair of solid black socks to make them look even more professional. Just do your best to avoid any square toed dress shoes, and stick with round toe designs. The former will instantly make your outfit look dated…you know like throwback Steve Harvey on the set of Family Feud. 🥹

2. Tailoring

Too many gents miss the mark here, but it’s really not all that complicated. Avoiding the temptation of tailoring your garments too close to the body, is your first challenge. Next up, set your focus on a quarter or half break on your pant length, with a slight taper from your thighs down to your leg opening. Shorten your jacket sleeve to allow your shirt cuff to peek through about 3/4 to 1”, with a slight taper in the waist. If there’s any tension with your jacket buttoned, then it’s probably too tight. You may want to check out this video for more tips on how to perfectly tailor your suit jacket or trouser. 

3. Mix and match

Now I for one am a huge fan of versatility, and I love to get the most wear possible out of everything in my closet. So when it comes to suiting, there’s no better way to do so than to break up your suit pieces. Mix dark jackets with lighter trousers, and dark trousers with lighter jackets. This is much easier to do, when working with neutrals and earth tones. Remember…less is really more. 

4. Keep it Simple

One common mistake when it comes to professional dress, is that too many of us overdo it. Too many patterns, too many accessories or in too bright of colors. For most things menswear, and suiting especially, stealth is wealth. Accessories look best when kept minimal and understated. Stick to solid colors, or at most one or two subtle patterns between your jacket, shirt and necktie. And nothing speaks volumes, like a quality necktie.

When it comes to ties, the more texture the better. Search for slightly patterned or solid ties made from, raw textured silk, wool, cotton or non shiny silk materials. On the higher end, stores like Drake’s and Viola Milano carry a wide selection of quality accessories, while department stores like Dillard's (my personal favorite) and Nordstrom, have some very nice, budget friendly options, at their physical stores. A sleek carrying case, and leather watch that matches your footwear are also extremely nice touches. 

5. The Bull’s Eye
   

And finally the best for last! 90% of men, from 9-5er’s to celebrities and athletes, are notorious for ruining their suit style with two common mistakes. The first being a poorly fitting dress shirt, with a collar that’s usually WAY too small or without enough spread. You’ll want to stick with a spread collar design that’s at least 3” in length. The second mistake is going with a necktie that’s way too vibrant, shiny and knotted in a beefy double windsor. This wider knot tends to look a lot more bulky and unflattering, especially when paired with an even smaller shirt collar. Nothing will ruin your suiting attire faster than these two blunders. On the other hand, if you’re interested in looking your best, then there’s simply no substitute for a beautiful spread collar, perfectly housing a slender half-windsor tie knot. 

In Summary

Each of these 5 tips were followed closely, when putting this combo together. Investing in quality items can go a long way, especially for your workwear ensembles. Every single one of you Gents, deserve to look this good in a suit. By gradually training your eye, and with the right attention to details, you too can look like a million bucks. I hope you all found this guide useful, and as always, let me know your thoughts in the poll below. I’ll also be needing a little help with the upcoming Casual Office Style Guides, so kindly tap in to share your occupation in the second survey further down. Until next time Gentlemen. 🫡

Sincerely,

F. Lawson

Creative Director

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