One Free Custom Shirt is going to the best three fashion questions I receive before February 15, 2010. Simply comment to this blog with your fashion question.
DESIGN YOURS...WITH A GREAT FASHION QUESTION!
If you are from outside of my 50 mile personal service radius, we’ll need to speak, but with a little work, I’ll still make you a custom shirt at no charge if yours is one of the best three questions!
Send those questions!
Thanks…looking forward to some good stuff!
Vinnie Rua…The Style Leader for Men
What color tie and pocket square (suit) would best compliment the blue strip shirt?
I always think of the shirt as nothing more than a “backdrop” for the tie. The color of the tie, therefore, would depend on the color of the suit…or pants if worn without a jacket.
The simplest, of course, would be a solid tie. Knits tend to be more casual; satins the dressiest.
Tie patterns should offset the shirt’s pattern…if a thin stripe, your tie pattern should be bolder.
Hope this helps somewhat.
I am a traditionalist, Todd. Your pocket square should typically match your shirt. So…I’d choose a medium blue solid pocket square or if you found one with dark midnight blue and white in a pattern, that would work also since those are the colors in the shirt. The tie color is almost irrelevant…although if the pocket square complements the tie, all the better.
If we assume a dark navy suit, I’d start with a dark navy tie with a very small, or no, pattern.
If you like to be bold, a paisley with the colors of the shirt would be great also.
For most guys, simple is better…
Thanks for your comment.
Vinnie Rua
What is the best way to determine whether something does or does not go together when dealing with differing patterns on shirts and ties?
Great question!
First, if you are in a store where there are salesmen who are wearing ties, and you see a salesman whose shirt/tie combo is one you think is great, ask that person. (If there are female sales personnel, find one whose outfit coordinates well and ask her opinion.)
But…if that advice doesn’t pan out, mixing patterns is an art and not an exact science. Other than stripes, I find mixing similar patterns difficult.
With stripes, you can rely on the rule of using a bolder stripe tie than the stripe on your shirt. The reverse is tough.
I like striped ties with checks and plaids…if the tie’s colors complement the shirt’s and the suit’s colors. Ties with dots usually work with striped shirts.
Other than that…it’s really an individual thing without many concrete rules.
If you are really struggling, and can shoot a photo with your phone and email it to me, I might be able to help.
Thanks for your comments.
Why is it so damn hard to find a double breasted suit without fifty thousand buttons?!
First, styles change. Right now, double breasted suits are not in vogue…and therefore you don’t see many at all. This is where custom can be of great assistance.
Second, there are really two standard double breasted button patters known as “four-on-two” and “six-on-two”. This means there are either four or six buttons on your front with two that are buttoned. The more popular style is the “six-on two”…where you button either the top or the bottom…but not both! On a shorter guy, buttoning the bottom button only gives the allusion of more height due to the elongated lapel line that runs across the wearer’s chest. On a taller guy, by contrast, buttoning the top only, can break up the length of the taller guy, providing better balance.
The two remaining buttons which are above and off to the sides are for show. (You can remove them!)
For business dress, what type of collar/collar spread is currently most acceptable?
Thanks for the comment, Greg. Scroll through my posts and read the “What type collar should I wear”. Let me know if your question is not answered after reading this.
I’ve been told that 3 piece suits are not as much in fashion these days as they used to be, but I’ve seen a couple NCAA Mens Basketball Coaches wearing them on TV recently and they looked sharp. Why have they drifted out of fashion??? I hope to add the 3 piece to my collection soon!!!