A Man's Closet, Part 2 - The Next Step
By Frank K Siciliano
Now that you have your navy suit, four shirts, lace-up shoes, dress belt, and dark socks that aren't for the gym, let's take it up a notch. Please keep this checklist handy for Round 2:
A Tie - You have a navy suit; now it's time to really seal the deal. I know most of you consider this to be a nuisance - or simply a noose - but it is a must. Since your suit is navy, avoid a pure black tie. Do something else in the blue family, only lighter. Avoid noisy, obnoxious patterns and designs. Your cravat should not need a volume knob.
T-shirts (4-6) - Finally, something you want to wear, right? You may think you have this one taken care of, but I encourage you to take a step back for a moment. You need 2 - 3 in white, and 2 - 3 in black. Also, they need to fit. If you are a small or a medium, wear a small or a medium! The sleeve should not be any closer to the elbow than mid biceps, the neck should be crew (preferable), or v-neck (if you're feeling froggy). It also shouldn't fall down past your hips. If you have a bunch of t-shirts with crude phrases on them, or shirts that look like they were served as an entree at a restaurant for moths, please see to it that these garments obtain a one-way ticket to the dumpster.
Jeans - Nothing says Dressing Like A Man like a strong t-shirt and jeans look, right? I know you have jeans in your closet, or in the drawer, but I worry about what kind you own. Acid wash (referring to so-dang-light-they-are-almost-white) jeans, and other really light jeans, are verboten. And ugly. High waisted jeans are out. And make you look old. Baggy jeans should be reserved for hip-hop videos (and take note how some rappers today have learned to wear skinnier cut jeans, leaving it harder for them to fall 6" below their boxer's waistline). Jeans that sit below someone's waist, after all, came about when members of gangs got out of jail and took prison chic with them. The first thing confiscated when you are locked up, typically, is your belt; thus, your pants fall. Now that the don'ts are done, DO get a pair of jeans in a dark wash (again, "wash" refers to color), in a slimmer cut - NOT "cut off your circulation" fit, just a slimmer cut. You do not have to wear jeans that look like they were painted on. Matter of fact, you probably shouldn't.
Two Pairs of Sneakers - Why two? One is for the gym, running, fitness end of your life (which every man is required to have, even if it's just a little bit). The other is for walking about, nights on the town that don't require a dressier shoe, and so on. The reason is simple: sweaty, disgusting, dirty sneakers need be worn only when appropriate. Going for a run? One pair. Seeing a movie? Different pair. While you are at it, try to avoid getting two pairs of athletic shoes. One pair of plain canvas loafer-type shoes (Vans, Converse, etc...) is ideal.
Now you've established dressy, established casual, and have one HELL of a base. These steps put you way ahead of the curve. Even adhering to these rules once or twice a week will start to get you noticed... noticed in ways that will make you want to adhere more often.
Frank K Siciliano is the founder of http://dressinglikeaman.blogspot.com/, which is in place to help guide men towards a more presentable way of dressing, without being all fussy. Since 1982, Frank has been developing an eye for what's hot, what's not, and what will stand the test of time in fashion. Interestingly enough, "what will stand the test of time" is the only thing that matters to most people. He does all that he can to guide anyone who will listen to a sharper, cleaner sense of style that will stand that very same test.
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