The fit / value for money equation
photo by AMagill
We all know how important it is for your business shirt to look great but don’t forget that you need to be wearing it for hours on end so it is important that it’s comfortable too. In particular make sure that your shirt feels comfortable across your shoulders and around your neck.It’s also a good idea to try on your business shirt with your suit jacket and tie to get the best idea of how it fits.
As sizing can vary between different countries, knowing your size might not be enough. Luckily, many websites now provide sizing charts for neck, sleeve and chest measurements so you can make an informed decision. You can take your measurements with a tape measure and maintain a good (but normal) posture. It’s a great idea to measure yourself up prior to entering a store or buying online.
To do this firstly start with your neck measurement and find a shirt that you currently have which you think has the best neck fit and lie the collar flat. Measure from behind the button to the middle of the button hole and record your neck measurement.
Secondly, your chest measurement is taken by keeping your arms by your side and taking the measurement from the biggest part of your chest and under your arms and back around to the starting point.
Lastly, you’ll need to measure your sleeve length. To do this, again keep your arms by your side but slightly bent. Take the measurement from the back of your next across your shoulderline and follow down your outer arm to your wrist. Don’t forget that all Amalfi shirts have adjustable cuff length thanks to 2 different length button holes.
Further, a returns policy with a satisfaction guarantee should be apparent with any premium shirt purchase and this should give you confidence that the manufacturer stands by their product and is willing to go the extra mile to ensure you are completely satisfied with the size of your new business shirt.
He’s got the look
Truth be told that while it comes more naturally to women, men are getting a lot better of taking care of their appearance in general (note: some men are taking it way too far however…) You may not think taking care of your appearance is an issue for men in the corporate world as all they do is get up put on a suit, shirt and tie, give the misus or mr a peck on the cheek and it’s off into the big bad world. Wrong! If you think you can get away with wearing the same suit, shirt and tie every working day- think again and ask yourself when exactly was your last promotion.
In an age of ‘business casual’ new world rules apply for what you can wear to your place of work. For the more creative types, your daily attire may be jeans, t-shirt and runners, while the rest of us still need to put in an effort and toe the corporate line, to some extent…
photo by jonrawlinson
Fortunately, there is a lot of choice out there when it comes to business shirts and ties, specifically I make reference to styles and colours. This is great news so there is no excuse for being boring, try something you know you wouldn’t usually buy. The challenge is how to piece all of your outfit together to market yourself as the complete package- a professional who is stylish, classic but with a hint of individualism in their appearance.
Let’s start with the basics, tailored pants and black shoes are a must. There is an option here however to mix up your ‘wheels’ with some brown leather ones if they complement the colour of your pants (don’t forget however that black pants with brown shoes are a BIG fashion no no). Your tie and suit jacket is quite often optional which leaves the humble business shirt as the key ingredient to your Tom Cruise Lamb Roast appearance (pre Scientology days!)
Your choice of business shirt colour is subjective however pale blue is always your safest best. We at Amalfi Shirts recommend classic colours with a modern (slim fit) cut. Add in a bit of colour but don’t let it go to your head- bright green or florals should be outlawed… Try pin stripes or checks for some variety but be careful not to mix patterns of your shirt with pants or ties- very unprofessional and not so cool either.
CLASSIFIED – How dry cleaners really remove your stains
Have you ever wondered what goes on behind the thick curtains of a drycleaner? You drop your soiled garments off and then a few days later in you stroll, shell out some of your hard earned and presto- from the other side of the counter your magically restored garment appear-stain free and looking as good as new..So what’s the secret, mystical potions, Industrial strength cleaning fluid or even outsourcing to a highly trained Italian stainologist? Time for a bit of Ripley’s ‘Believe it or Not’ as my friends the answer can actually be found in most household bathrooms and laundries.
PLUS
photo by ezs
Here’s our tip- to replicate the method used by most dry cleaners to remove tough stains from garments like business shirts, all you need is two household items; a toothbrush and a bar of Sard Wonder Soap. All you have to do is wet the bar of soap and rub it across the stain so it leaves some residual soap. Find an old toothbrush and gently scrub the stain so the soap really gets between the fibers however be careful not to rub too hard or you might damage the fabric. Next, throw your business shirt in the washing machine on a cold wash cycle with some Cold Power detergent, and you’re done. A drycleaner quality stain removal tip for a fraction of the price you thought you were going to have to pay!
The importance of personalising your style
Maybe it’s for a special occasion or just to look your best at work there a number of fashion rules to be mindful of when wearing a suit, shirt and tie. We at Amalfi Shirts have compiled some helpful tips that will help you make the impression you desire. While it’s important to look professional, confident, and stylish in any corporate situation you really should be aiming to give your appearance a ‘sense of individualism’ (not in an over the top way of course..) With a number of professional companies now promoting a ‘business casual’ work attire quite often you’re suit jacket may not make it out of the cupboard, let alone through the revolving foyer door. This means that your business shirt carries a fair burden- not only is it practical but it is the window to your fashion soul so we implore you to give your shirt selection the respect it deserves.
There is a overabundance of research which talks about the importance of non- verbal cues in making the right impression. If you allow me the liberty of summarizing this extensive literature- they are conclude in some way, shape or form that what you wear is a statement about you.
It’s critical that you choose your attire carefully and pay attention to even the small details to ensure you’ll continue to make great impressions. The basics are all about being coordinated, tasteful, and espousing a touch of individualism.
Being coordinated is literally about matching things and shouldn’t be harder than ensuring that when matching a shirt and tie make sure one is a strong colour while the other is subtle. We at Amalfi Shirts prefer stylish and classic coloured shirts matched with bold and strong coloured ties. If you need or want, you have the opportunity to learn more about what works from surfing the net to picking up a fashion biased magazine- you’ll soon get the idea of what coordination is all about.
Well, as they say- taste is in the eye of the beholder however unfortunately not everyone has it. If you’re not 100% sure- phone a friend, send us an email, pick someone who you admire for their sense of fashion and ask them for their advice. Again, see how the pros do it by picking up any one of a number of men’s fashion publications (you know near the ‘adult’ section at your local newsstand. In most business situations the beholder may be your boss or in fact the broader business community so try and strike a balance between demonstrating your sense of style and wearing colours and clothing that won’t offend the majority.