Summer Edition: The Linen Suit

Say goodbye to layers and cold mornings. Summer has arrived and it's time to lighten up. This is the first post of a series of posts that I hope will help guide you through the summer heat and stay cool.

The first topic is the Linen Suit.

Every man should own a linen suit. It's the perfect alternative when the thermostat starts climbing. Let's face it, suits in general are not the most comfortable articles of clothing in the summer. Nobody really wants to wear a jacket when the weather is calling for a t-shirt. The linen suit may be the perfect solution.

1. It must be fitted

Just like any other suit, you need to make sure that you get the appropriate alterations to your linen suit. It's especially important in this case as the linen suit is already a somewhat loose material. Otherwise, you will end up looking like some wanna-be drug dealer from Miami. Not a good look at all.

Chris Pine demonstrates just exactly how a linen suit should be worn. Well done, Chris.

2. Don't worry about the wrinkles

You should not be concerned about the fact that linen suits are easily wrinkled. Steam the suit before you wear it to knock out most of the big wrinkles and then just embrace the look. It's a lightweight, fun type of suit and the wrinkles are part of that look.

3. ONLY wear the linen suit in the summer

The linen suit is only an acceptable look in summer, just as the wool suit is specifically for the cold months. So don't get crazy and bust out the linen suit for Christmas. You will regret it. 

Surprise! Linen suits can be dark, too. Don't be sold on the fallacy that linen suits have to be tan or white. Embrace the dark side.

Until next time, stay classy.

The Bow Tie

Bow ties are back. No, the bow tie is not limited to Pee Wee Herman or circus clowns. While I understand that they may not be for everyone, bow ties are a cool and stylish alternative to the traditional neck tie. Keep in mind that bow ties can be a risky move, but when done right they are fantastic way to freshen up your style.

Here are a few suggestions:

Slimmer is better. 

While the same general rule for neck ties can be applied to bow ties (matching the size of the tie to shirt and suit you are wearing), the trend seems to lean towards slimmer bow ties rather than large and loud.

 Say NO to clip-ons

If you are gonna rock a bow tie, you better go legit and wear one that you tied yourself. Trust me, they are worth the money. Plus, you will gain the respect of your peers simply by knowing how to actually TIE a bow tie.

Of course we can't forget this guy...

Perhaps the coolest thing about wearing a bow tie is the "after party look".

If you have never learned how to tie the bow tie, it can be quite a task. Here is a great video that explains how to do it.

Stay classy, my friends. 

Watches

Gentlemen, it's time to upgrade your wrist-wear. Cell phones have nearly made the time telling machines obsolete. It's so easy to rely upon your iPhone for the time. However, the watch is making a serious comeback. It's not a necessity as much as it is an accessory. A way to define your personal style in the form of wrist-wear.

The best way to save money and still be fashionable is to spend money on a nice face and change the bands from time to time.

With watches, I believe slimmer is better. The huge, bulky metal watches are no longer the standard. They've been replaced with leather bands and faces that are significantly less flashy.

If you're really feeling adventurous, try a band with some color in it. It'll add some flavor to your outfit.

Again, you don't have to spend a fortune to buy a nice watch. There are many watches out there that are affordable and stylish. If you have the money, go right on ahead. Quality will last. 

The New Business Casual

Business casual. The time when jeans are acceptable and ties are not mandatory. Every business man loves casual Friday. If you work in the Silicon Valley, every day is casual Friday. So how do you dress casual and still look professional? Here are a few tips to get you started.

The Gosling 

Here's a look that says "I'm relaxed, but I still mean business." It's simple, clean, and effortless. Anybody can pull off this look. 

Suit and No Tie

As summer approaches everyone is looking for a cooler look. A simple way to cool down is to ditch the tie. Ties can make it difficult to stay cool in the summer heat. You can go with the unbuttoned look and still look professional. 

The great thing about not wearing a tie is that you have one less thing to worry about matching with your outfit. Therefore, you have a little more liberty with the type of shirt you can wear. Darker shirts with patterns look great with a light, summer suit. (You don't have to unbutton your shirt to the third button.)

Cardigans

Cardigans are great for a business casual look. If you live in a cooler climate you can try ditching the sport coat for a cardigan.

Button-up shirt, tie and a cardigan. Nice way to break away from the norm. 

Sweater

The sweater is also a good alternative to a suit, especially in the colder months. 

Throw a sweater over a button-up shirt (tie or no tie, it doesn't really matter). 

Jeans

If you're tired of slacks, some nice jeans make a perfect substitute. Just makes sure they don't have holes, are fitted and preferably not True Religion.

Loafers are optional. You can also wear a clean pair of sneakers or brogues. 

That's all for now. Stay classy. 

The Pocket Square

The pocket square. The simple touch that can add so much to a suit. Men have been rocking the pocket square for ages, but only recently has the trend re-emerged with the younger generations to become a staple of every man's wardrobe.

The White One

If you don't own a single pocket square, you owe it yourself to AT LEAST pick a simple, plain white pocket square. Trust me, it will be a worthwhile investment. The white p-square can be paired with almost any outfit. Yet, it adds a dimension of style to your look that is classic and also fashionable.

Photo: Jake Gyllenhaal rocking the white pocket square.

Solid with Border

Another cool look is a solid pocket square with a different colored border. It's simple yet it has that simple contrast of colors to make it stand out.

The Patterned One

So you've acquired your white pocket square and possibly one or two bordered pocket squares. If you're ready for something a little more adventurous, try experimenting with patterned pocket squares. There are endless combinations of stripes, dots, gingham, plaid, paisley, etc. The trick is in finding the right one for your outfit. The general rule is to not mix patterns. For instance, don't do a polka dot pocket square with a plaid shirt or a plaid pocket square with a striped suit or tie. However, there are occasional exceptions to the rules but it has to be done right. Use your best judgement.

While the classic "square" look is a safe bet in any situation, there are many ways to style your pocket square. It's the perfect way to show off your unique personality and style. Styling it can be tricky so here are a few tips on how to do it right.

I found the video above to be very helpful. If you are new to this, it's a great place to start. But the possibilities are endless, so be creative!

Last but not least, there is one rule: DO NOT USE THE POCKET SQUARE THAT COMES WITH THE TIE.

Don't be that guy.

The Tie Bar

The last couple of years we have seen the resurgence of the tie bar. I personally love this trend, although I see as more of a trend. The tie bar is staple of the business man's wardrobe. Originally designed to keep your tie from taking a dive in your bowl of Honey Nut Cheerio's or perhaps to defeat the anti-gravital force of Dilbert's neckwear, the tie has become the accessory every man must own.

There are a few rules when it comes to wearing the tie bar.

#1 Keep it proportional to your tie.

The tie bar should not exceed the width of the tie you are wearing.

#2 Keep it simple

I'm not a fan of flashy or "blingy" tie bars. But there are exceptions to the rules.

This guy is wearing an arrow tie bar. And it's awesome. I love it.

Aside from those simple rules, you are free to style your tie bar however you like. You can even try going for different colors like these:

 If you are looking for a great site with plenty of choices, visit www.thetiebar.com. They have just about every style you can think of at the affordable price of $15 a pop. It's hard to find a better deal than that. Not only can you buy a tie clip/bar, they also sell ties and pocket squares. On top of all of that, they are recommended by GQ. A superb site with a great selection. Check them out.

Thus ends the post about tie bars. Stay classy, folks. 

Belts

Fellas, it's time we started looking at belts as more than a device to hold up our trousers because they can be so much more than that. The belt can be that accessory that pulls an outfit together. Or it can be the subtle accent to a stellar suit. Maybe you just wanna rock a t-shirt and jeans. The belt can the be the finishing touch on a simple look.


First off, every guy should own a nice, genuine leather black and brown belt. Like this:

After you secure your brown and black belts (not karate of course), branch out with some of these belts.

I'm a sucker for the combination of red and navy blue. This belt is killer. It can be worn with jeans, some chinos, or even a suit. Great for the summer. 

Can't go wrong with Ralph Lauren. Show off your prep style with this belt. 

This belt is a little more neutral. You can pair this belt with just about anything.

If you're feeling really adventurous, try this tribal. It's a funky, cool look that accents the business look of a suit. 

The point is to start thinking outside the box with your belts. Stockpile several different styles and patterns to experiment with different outfits. Ultimately, it is a way to showcase your unique taste and style. That being said, stay classy.