Wardrobe fundamentals for men – suits
How to select a quality tailor
If you really want to get serious about your wardrobe, then it could be worth considering finding a great tailor. Come prepared with a view on what’s working or not working with your current wardrobe so your tailor can help recommend a solution. You may also want to consider bringing a picture so you can show the tailor the specific elements you like. A custom made suit is a great addition to your wardrobe to compliment your business shirt.
How to care for a suit
Similar to mens business shirts, great quality suits can be quite expensive, so it’s important to make sure you take good care of them. Exercise caution with taking your suite to a dry cleaner, as it’s the easiest way to wear out the fabric. At most take your suit to a dry cleaner only twice a year. A good quality sturdy hanger can help extend the life of your suit, and also try to not store your suits in plastic.
How to choose a quality suit – Part two
There’s several things to look out for that can distinguish a quality suit from a poor quality one. One key indicator are hand sewn buttons and button holes, this can make a big difference in the life of your suit. Higher quality, more expensive suits also use horn buttons rather than plastic. Another thing to consider with a suit is the lining, look for natural fabrics that breathe well.
How to choose a quality suit – Part one
A quality suit is a great investment for your wardrobe, however it’s often difficult to select and purchase a high quality one. Similar to business shirts, the first thing to consider is the quality of the fabric: eg Super 100’s or Super 250’s which is a measurement of microns. The thinner the piece of wool, the more luxurious the final product will feel. Selecting fabric from a well known mill is also an important consideration.
Shopping online: Premium mens business shirts
photo by juvetson
I came across some research recently which I found pretty interesting and couldn’t help but share and it relates to buying online. I still remember it wasn’t that long ago when a fair percentage of people were scared to buy anything online. Recent research suggests that 85% of Aussies connected to the web have bought something online. Further, research from Ibisworld has predicted that Australian’s annual online retail spending will balloon from 15 billion to over 21 billion in the next few years. There is certain things that I’m comfortable buying online and some things I can’t bring myself to buy but 21 billion is not just a couple of songs from iTunes or books from Amazon.
For most, buying online provides an opportunity to make some great savings not to mention the convenience factor! Something you might not have thought about buying online is men’s business shirts. You can pay hundreds of dollars for premium, high quality business shirts in a shop and I guess if you value your appearance as well as believing you are somewhat of a fashionista it’s the price you’ve been prepared to pay. However, those days are over my friends, embrace online shopping and you’ll never look back- just know what you are looking for and let the savings roll in.
First of all when buying premium business shirts online they need to be Egyptian cotton, slim fit and French (double) cuffs. Once you find some styles you like you need to see how user friendly their online shop is. The more online shops you browse the better you’ll become at determining the good ones from the hacks. I like premium looking online shops, nothing too cluttered. In fact I don’t like it when online shops try and sell you too much stuff.
I also look for returns policies and free shipping- you’re in the driver’s seat why should you pay for shipping these days! Shopping online is not only a convenient way to buy premium men’s business shirts but also a cost effective way. It’s not rocket science, no tacky sales staff, no rent means that retailers don’t need to pass the buck to you. Trust me when I say buying a business shirt online is a liberating experience for any business professional.
Another great idea for those last minute gifts are vouchers- I learnt this from experience..
How to fit and wear a shirt and tie
Making sure you’re looking the goods isn’t just about selecting an great business shirt and tie, it’s equally as important to ensure they fit your body shape. Elements to consider are the collar type (fused or non-fused) and tie length. Ties should just reach the top of your belt buckle.
Online shopping phenomenon: Buying men’s business shirts online
photo by blakespot
It’s astonishing to think that the world wide web (www) has only been existence for less than 6,000 days. Now imagine the first bright spark who came up with the idea of using the internet as a sales channel. I wish I could tell you whom this was but I don’t know so stay tuned for future blogs. Hasn’t online shopping evolved? Originally businesses set up online shops as an alternative sales channel however there has been a marked increase in small to medium enterprises (SMEs) who use online shops as there main channel. The advantage of not having to hire physical space and pay other tangible overheads means that these cost savings can be passed on to the consumer.
Take purchasing men’s business shirts online as a case in point. If a retailer can provide images of the shirts, some quality visuals and a great (for me premium) experience it makes you feel a lot more comfortable. I’ve learnt that I can get competitively priced, quality business shirts online from the comfort of my home or office computer. Some thoughtful retailers now include free gift wrapping and free express delivery Australia wide.
As with any other relationship or exchange, trust is paramount. In the online environment trust from a retailers is demonstrated in a number of ways. Personally I find testimonials a bit self fulfilling and I look for more tangible things such as returns policies. Specifically, 100% satisfaction and money back guarantees give me a indication of the legitimacy of a business and further, their commitment to consumer satisfaction. Online forums also provide an honest ‘online conversation’ so do a quick search and see what you can dig up. So my advice if you’re looking for men’s business shirts, look no further than online!
The importance of men’s business shirts
If you ask any stylist this simple question: what can you do to immediately enhance the appearance of a man in a matter of moments? The answer is a great quality men’s business shirt.
A men’s business shirt can immediately help reorganise the way you look. The best quality mens business shirts are always comfortable, and styles can range from cool, fashionable, elegant or stylish. It’s one of the easiest way to outwardly express your personality and style in a matter of seconds. You can wear a business shirt almost anytime and for almost any purpose.
For a man, the choice of shirt is often one of the most noticeable dress items. Some people say that a business shirt, or dress shirt as they say in the states is the first alphabet of a man’s body language. If you happen to buy the wrong shirt… well the first impression you leave may not always be the best. A careful selection of suitable and matching dress shirt is very important, (sometimes it could be a good idea to get your girlfriend’s advice if this isn’t your strong point!). It’s always important to take into consideration the below six dimensions if you’d dressing to impress; occasion, design, colour, dimension, collar and fabric.
1. Dress for the occasion
First start by considering what type of occasion you’re dressing for. Each different kind of occasion can demand a particular design or colour.
2. Design
There’s really endless options of men’s business shirt styles and designs to choose from, which can complicate matters. You really need to have a wide variety of shirt styles and designs at your disposal (i.e. different collars, solid colours or striped, different collar designs and different button styles ect)
3. Colour
Colour can actually more influence over your moods then you might think. When it comes to fashion, colour can be a powerful way to send non-verbal messages to those around you about your ability or instil an internal feeling of confidence. A men’s business shirt colour can imply the level of success, your background, authority or status, personality and more. For example, a man who wears a pink shirt actually can create an air of confidence… because any man who dares to wear it must be just that.
4. Know your dimensions
This can make shopping easier, and ensures you don’t buy an expensive shirt that looks like crap because it’s baggy as a tent, or tight like a muscle top. One of the most important aspects here isn’t the sleeve length but how the shirt fits on the shoulders. If the fit at the shoulders is perfect but the sleeves are too short, you can always fold back the sleeves, however there’s little you can do on the flip-side if the shirt is rolling of the shoulders.
5. The collar
Some people say the collar is the most important aspect of a men’s business shirt. There’s several options here such as the Classic Straight Point Collar, Spread or Cutaway Collars however this probably warrants it’s own article.
6. Fabric
All men’s business shirts are not created equal. Cotton is by far the most common fabric for dress shirts, however you can often purchase a cotton blend. Our advice is to only purchase 100% cotton, and select the more premium Egyptian Cotton if it’s in your price range.
How to create illusions with a well tailored suit
A well tailored suit can really assist in either making you look taller, wider or slimmer. For example if you’re shorter than the average man, and wanting to look longer try selecting a jacket that’s a bit shorter than ususal to help make your legs look longer. You can also select trousers that don’t have cuffs to help reduce the horizontal lines which can make you look stumpy. Same thing goes for teh pattern of teh jacket, stay away from the horizontal lines wherever possible to increase the perception of height.
How to correctly fit a suit
Buying a properly fitted, tailored suit can make a big difference from one that’s been bought off the rack. A suit should fit well in the shoulders, and the sleeves should show around 1/4 inch of business shirt cuff. The ideal length of the trousers should reach the top of the heel of the shoe.
The ‘always’ ’sometimes’ ‘never’ rule for buttoning a suit
Suits come with a few different options. There’s two button suits, three button suits and and then there’s Double Breasted suits. Some people thing the two-button is more stylish, the three-button is more traditional, and Double Breasted… well that’s really for older, or larger men, or re-runs of early 90’s sitcoms like Frasier.
If you’re wearing a three-button suit you should make sure you’re aware of the ‘Always, Sometimes, Never Rule’, also known as the ASN rule. There’s nothing worse than seeing someone who doesn’t know how to wear a suit buttoning all three buttons. The ASN rule is pretty basic, and refers to your buttons from the top down. The top button of your suit should ALWAYS be buttoned, whenever your suit is buttoned. The middle button can SOMETIMES be buttoned, and the bottom button should NEVER be buttoned.
How to buy and fit a suit
In this first of a series of videos, pick up some great tips on setting up your wardrobe, how to purchase a custom suit, how to find a good tailor and how to care for your suit. In this episode, you’ll see what a poor fitting mens business shirt and jacket looks like – and what to look out for.
Advice from men on wearing suits
Ok, so you’re sorted with a business shirt, but what about the suit? Diddy and Trump among a few other notable men of our time show you how to pick out and wear a suit.
Creating a work wardrobe for men
Tips from Monster.co.uk on how to change from being the office scruff to a sharp-suited businessman. Follow these simple tips for creating a practical work wardrobe.
How to pack a suitcase without getting your business shirts wrinkled
Packing a suitcase so that your business shirts arrive unwrinkled is certainly an art, but it’s one everyone can learn.
Five easy steps to tying a Windsor Knot
photo by striatic
OK so Windsor Knots look great… but who can ever remember how to do them?!
The Windsor Knot, produces a wide triangular knot and lets be honest it’s the only knot that will do your Amalfi Shirt justice. While it is a common held belief that the Windsor Knot is worn for more formal business shirt occasions, we at Amalfi Shirts chanllenge you to find a better knot for any occasion…
Some pointers:
- Wide end should be 15cm longer than thin end and cross wide end over the front.
- Bring the wide end through the loop that’s been made between the tie and the collar.
- Pull the wide end underneath the narrow end and to the left then pull the wide end back through the loop and to the left again so that the wide end is inside out.
- Now bring wide end across the front from left to right and pull wide end up through the loop again.
- Bring wide end down through the knot in front and you’re done!
The best way to remove your Windsor knot is to follow the steps taken to do it up but in reverse order, sound easy!! Good luck with this one, you’ll get the hang of this with practice.
What style and size business shirt should you buy?
photo by blmurch
Buying the right size shirt is a critical decision for ensuring a correct fit. Nine time out of ten, if you knew your ‘dimensions’ you should be able to get the right size business shirt every time. Most websites should have a user friendly section dedicated to explaining how to properly measure your business shirt for neck, chest and sleeve length. It’s a bonus if they add in a sizing table so if you buy a particular neck size you know what other dimensions you are getting. Something like here: business shirt sizing is an example of how to make your online shopping experience better by equipping you with relevant information on sizing.
You need to be mindful of the cut of the business shirt. Do you want something traditional (box cut) or a bit more modern like a slim fit. Either way this is important to know as it really does influence how your business shirt will fit your body.
Some other useful tips- try and look for shirts that have a bit of a tail at the back which is easier for tucking in and will ensure you stay tugged in for longer. Some high quality business shirts offer double cuffs. In some instances these cuffs often have two sets of holes meaning you can adjust your cuff length, which we think is pretty cool.
Style is a lot more subjective, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing. However it is important to ensure that your attire fits with your environment. While you may think there is less margin for error with respect to wearing an inappropriate business shirts as they are all pretty much the same there are some watchouts. The obvious one relates to short sleeve shirts. These were the preferred summer options of your grandfather and possibly your father in the summer months! Well guess what, that was then and this is now. If you aren’t working outdoors there’s no excuse for wearing a short sleeve shirt and try to pass it off as business shirts.
Ads we like (not about business shirts)
It’s not all about business shirts at Amalfi Shirts. Here’s a few of of our favourite ads, yet to air in Australia.
Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival’s most boring interview
Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival’s most boring interview featuring Bart Cummings… we challenge you to watch!